Robert Altman, the caustic and irreverent satirist behind “M-A-S-H,” “Nashville” and “The Player” who made a career out of bucking Hollywood management and story conventions, died at a Los Angeles Hospital, his production company said Tuesday. He was 81.
The director died Monday night, Joshua Astrachan, a producer at Altman’s Sandcastle 5 Productions in New York City, told The Associated Press.
The cause of death wasn’t disclosed. A news release was expected later in the day, Astrachan said.
A five-time Academy Award nominee for best director, most recently for 2001’s “Gosford Park,” he finally won a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2006.
“No other filmmaker has gotten a better shake than I have,” Altman said while accepting the award. “I’m very fortunate in my career. I’ve never had to direct a film I didn’t choose or develop. My love for filmmaking has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition.”
I can’t even begin to tell you how sad this makes me …
Sorry, buddy. 🙁 I thought instantly of you when I saw this news.
Thanks man … 🙁 … Gonna be sad about this for a while.
I grieve not only for the loss of Atlman personally but also for the loss of another maverick director who directs (no, crafts) engaging, intellectually stimulating films without resorting to blow-’em-up, flash edited, CGI movies that are little more than music videos with a skeleton story line. Why not Michael Bay or Jerry Bruckheimer, God? At least we still have Altman’s legacy on DVD. I think it’s time to watch “Nashville” again to honor Bob’s memory.
I was watching some of NASHVILLE last night … also rewatched all of M*A*S*H. Great films!