The BBC have confirmed this evening that actor, director and producer Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90 after a lengthy illness. His son told the broadcaster that he passed away at lunchtime on Sunday.

Lord Attenborough was one of Britain’s most beloved performers, and his film career began in 1942. He appeared in a variety of releases, including The Great Escape, Guns at Batasi, The Flight of the Phoenix, and many, many more. The actor would perhaps become best known to many for playing John Hammond in Jurassic Park.

Attenborough would reprise that role in the sequel and also starred in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street.

His work behind the camera would prove to be just as important as what he did in front of it. Attenborough’s many directing credits include epic period films like Young Winston and A Bridge Too Far. The filmmaker won a number of awards for the critically acclaimed Ghandi, including  the Academy Award for Best Director.

Richard Attenborough amazing work for charity easily rivals his impressive film résumé, and he received a number of honours over the years, including a CBE and the naming of a stage after him at Pinewood Studios in 2012.

This all barely scratches the surface of his extraordinary career of course, and a true great has been lost.

 

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