Anthony Minghella CBE (January 6, 1954 - March 18, 2008) was a British director and screenwriter. Born on the Isle of Wight, he flirted with being a musician while at St. John's College, but switched to studying drama while at the University of Hull, and was going for his PhD when he decided to work for The BBC instead. Starting out writing radio plays, he went on to direct and write plays for the network, as well as for the regular stage. He also directed episodes of Inspector Morse. He first became known outside of Britain when Truly, Madly, Deeply, originally made as a TV movie, was released theatrically and became a critical success. However, his real break came with his adaptation of The English Patient, which became a box office and critical success, as well as earning several Oscars, including one for Minghella for Best Director. Minghella went on to direct only three more films, plus a TV pilot, before passing away in 2008 after being in the hospital due to complications from oral cancer the week before.
His son is actor Max Minghella.
He also made a cameo in the film version of Atonement as a TV host.
Filmography:
- Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991)
- Mr Wonderful (1993)
- The English Patient (1996)
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- Breaking and Entering (2006)
- New York I Love You (2008) (segment)
- The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008) (pilot)
- Nine (Musical) (2009) (writer only)
