'The Silence of the Lambs' Director Jonathan Demme Dead at 73

The prolific filmmaker also helmed documentaries for Neil Young, Talking Heads and Justin Timberlake

BY Josiah HughesPublished Apr 26, 2017

Prolific and visionary filmmaker Jonathan Demme has passed away at the age of 73. He reportedly died of esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease.

Demme's achievements in film can not be overstated. Notable director credits include The Silence of the LambsPhiladelphiaThe Manchurian CandidateRachel Getting Married and countless others.

Further, the director was also an avid documentarian, specializing in music movies. He directed multiple docs about Neil Young as well as the definitive Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense. Just last year, he released a new documentary about Justin Timberlake

Sources told Indiewire that Demme had been treated for his health issues in 2010, but they resurfaced in 2015. In recent weeks leading up to his death, his health had significantly worsened.

Demme is survived by his wife Joanne Howard and their three children.
 

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