Tonight, the BBC is reporting that actor and director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90.
Attenborough’s breakthrough role came in 1947’s BRIGHTON ROCK, and he went on to work in British films for the next 30 years, as well as starring in Agatha Christie’s long-running THE MOUSETRAP on the West End. Attenborough’s Hollywood break came in 1963, when he was cast in THE GREAT ESCAPE, and from there he expanded his range of character roles in films such as 10 RILLINGTON PLACE, THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX and THE HUMAN FACTOR.
Between 1979 and 1993, Attenborough retired behind the camera, turning his hand to producing and directing. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for GANDHI, and brought A CHORUS LINE, CRY FREEDOM, CHAPLIN and SHADOWLANDS to the big screen. Attenborough returned to acting in Steven Spielberg’s JURASSIC PARK, and went on to star in the remake of MIRACLE ON 34th STREET and ELIZABETH.
Attenborough’s last performance on screen was a voiceover on Laurence Boulting’s 2004 film, WITHIN THE WAY WITHOUT. Attenborough moved into a care home in 2013, due to his failing health, and passed away today. His family is expected to make a full statement tomorrow.
We, at Movies.ie, send our condolences to Richard Attenborough’s friends and family, and leave you with this wonderful scene from JURASSIC PARK…