Curtis Hanson has died aged 71.
The ‘8 Mile’ director was found dead at his Hollywood Hills home on Tuesday afternoon (20.09.16) after paramedics responded to a call about an unconscious man.
According to gossip website TMZ, Hanson was pronounced dead at the scene and passed away from what appears to have been a heart attack.
A Los Angeles Police Department couldn’t confirm that is how the ‘L.A. Confidential’ helmer passed but told Variety he died of "natural causes."
He was reported to have been suffering from Alzheimer’s and had recently retired.
The filmmaker directed Eminem in his acting debut ‘8 Mile’, and the rapper has thanked the late star for having faith in him.
He said in a statement: "Curtis Hanson believed in me and our crazy idea to make a rap battle movie set in Detroit. He basically made me into an actor for ‘8 Mile’. I’m lucky I got to know him."
Several other stars have paid tribute to the director, including Kevin Bacon, who starred in one of Hanson’s greatest successes, 1994 crime thriller ‘The River Wild’.
He tweeted: "So sad to hear about Curtis Hanson. great director. great man. Riding that river with him was one of the greatest gigs of my life (sic)"
Rob Lowe tweeted: "It was an honor to make "Bad Influence" with Curtis Hanson. So smart, so kind and a great storyteller. I will miss him. (sic)"
Abigail Spencer wrote: "So honored I got to work with the dear #CurtisHanson — the most lovely & wonderful. Heartbroken. My condolences to his family. #rip (sic)"
Hanson won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1998, for co-writing L.A. Confidential alongside Brian Helgeland.
He also helmed 2005 comedy-drama movie ‘In Her Shoes’ – which starred Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette – as well as ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’, ‘Wonder Boys’ and 2012’s ‘Chasing Mavericks’.
Curtis Hanson dead at 71
