03 Jul The Deer Hunter film director passes away
The director of the 1978 Vietnam War film The Deer Hunter has died, his friend and former lawyer has confirmed.
Eric Weissmann, a friend and former lawyer of Mr. Cimino’s, confirmed the death.
He said Mr. Cimino’s body was found at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday by the police after friends were unable to reach him by phone. The cause of death had yet to be determined, Mr. Weissmann said.
Cimino, 77, who directed a total of eight films, is best remembered for The Deer Hunter which is often hailed as one of the best movies in Hollywood history. With a cast that included Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep and John Cazale, “The Deer Hunter” is perhaps best remembered for a nail-biting sequence in which Mr. De Niro and Mr. Walken’s characters, having been taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese, are forced to play Russian roulette with one another.
His other notable films are:“Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” (1974) starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance. “Year of the Dragon” (1985), “The Sicilian” (1987), “Desperate Hours” (1990) and “The Sunchaser” (1996).
“Our work together is something I will always remember. He will be missed,” De Niro said in a statement.
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