Jonathan Demme, the Oscar-winning director of The Silence of the Lambs, has died in New York at the age of 73.
His publicist confirmed he died from complications from oesophageal cancer. Born in 1944, Demme’s other features included Philadelphia, Something Wild and the Talking Heads documentary Stop Making Sense.
Demme’s own Oscar was for best director for The Silence of the Lambs in 1992.
The second film to feature serial killer Hannibal Lecter, it is one of only three films to win the so-called “big five” Oscars.
As well as best director, the 1991 film was named best picture, won a screenplay prize and saw both of its lead actors honoured.
