Michael Cimino, the director who brought us such classics as The Deer Hunter and Heaven’s Gate has died at the age of 77.
Cimino directed eight films during his career. His debut was the Clint Eastwood-led Thunderbolt and Lightfoot in 1974, followed by The Deer Hunter just four years later in 1978. Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken starred in the Vietnam movie which garnered five Oscars including Best Film the following year. The film is most famous for its often replicated Russian roulette sequence.
Cimino went on to direct Year Of The Dragon, The Sicilian (also with Walken), Desperate Hours, The Sunchaser and a segment in the 2011 ensemble piece To Each His Own Cinema. Cimino also wrote the Dirty Harry movie Magnum Force and Douglas Trumball’s cult classic Silent Running.
No cause of death has been released, though Cimino’s body was said to have been found after friends and family had not been able to contact him.
We thank you so much for the movie. Rest in peace.
