We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of BAFTA Fellow Alan Parker. As BAFTA-winning filmmaker, he brought us joy with Bugsy Malone, The Commitments, Midnight Express and many more. pic.twitter.com/fVOcXARgKM
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Midnight Express director Sir Alan Parker has died, aged 76.
The filmmaker, whose hits included Mississippi Burning, Fame, The Commitments and Bugsy Malone saw his work collect ten Oscars, ten Golden Globes and 19 BAFTAs across his career, although he didn't win a Best Director Oscar despite being nominated twice.
He is survived by his wife Lisa Moran-Parker, five children and seven grandchildren.
Among those leading the tributes, was BAFTA, which wrote on Twitter: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of BAFTA Fellow Alan Parker."
The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences also wrote: "From Fame to Midnight Express, two-time Oscar nominee Alan Parker was a chameleon. His work entertained us, connected us, and gave us such a strong sense of time and place. An extraordinary talent, he will be greatly missed."
Director Edgar Wright tweeted: "So sad to hear of Sir Alan Parker's passing. His incredible run of hits as a British filmmaker gave immense inspiration to me:"
Those who worked with him also paid tribute. John Cusack, who featured in 1994's Road To Wellville, paid tribute to him as "a great filmmaker".
And fellow director David Puttnam, who produced some of Parker's films, described him as "my oldest and closest friend", adding, "I was always in awe of his talent".
