Oscar winning director Sydney Pollack, who made gender-bending comedy Tootsie and acclaimed period drama Out of Africa, has died aged 73.The director and actor, who most recently appeared in Made of Honor, had been diagnosed with cancer around nine months ago.
He died at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, his agent said today.
The Indiana-born film-maker had his biggest hit with the 1985 period piece Out Of Africa, which starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. A critical and commercial success, it scooped seven Oscars that year – including landing Pollack the award for best director.
He was also Oscar nominated for helming the Dustin Hoffman comedy Tootsie, in which he also appeared, and the 1969 adaptation of Horace McCoy‘s book, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Pollack also enjoyed a long acting career that saw him appear opposite some of Hollywood’s biggest names. and in recent years Pollack had turned to producing independt films with late British director Anthony Minghella.
George Clooney – who directed Pollack in Michael Clayton last year, a film Pollack also co-produced. – said today: “Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better”.
R.I.P.Director Sydney Pollack dies aged 73
Oscar winning director Sydney Pollack, who made gender-bending comedy Tootsie and acclaimed period drama Out of Africa, has died aged 73.The director and actor, who most recently appeared in Made of Honor, had been diagnosed with cancer around nine months ago.
He died at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, his agent said today.
The Indiana-born film-maker had his biggest hit with the 1985 period piece Out Of Africa, which starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. A critical and commercial success, it scooped seven Oscars that year – including landing Pollack the award for best director.
He was also Oscar nominated for helming the Dustin Hoffman comedy Tootsie, in which he also appeared, and the 1969 adaptation of Horace McCoy‘s book, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Pollack also enjoyed a long acting career that saw him appear opposite some of Hollywood’s biggest names. and in recent years Pollack had turned to producing independt films with late British director Anthony Minghella.
George Clooney – who directed Pollack in Michael Clayton last year, a film Pollack also co-produced. – said today: “Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better”.
R.I.P.
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