Home / Arts and Entertainment / Filmmaker John Irvin, Director of 'Hamburger Hill,' Dies at 86
Filmmaker John Irvin, Director of 'Hamburger Hill,' Dies at 86
19 Aug
Summary
- John Irvin, director of 'Hamburger Hill' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' has died.
- His career spanned over 30 films across TV, documentaries, and independent cinema.
- Irvin directed diverse stars from Fred Astaire to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
John Irvin, a highly versatile filmmaker known for directing acclaimed works like "Hamburger Hill" and the BAFTA-winning "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," died on August 11th at the age of 86. His career, spanning television, documentaries, and independent films, produced over 30 features, demonstrating an impressive range that included directing Fred Astaire and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, in 1940, Irvin began his career at British Movietone News before directing his first film, the documentary "Gala Day" (1963). His early work, including the BAFTA-winning short "Inheritance" (1963), garnered critical attention. Throughout the 1960s, he crafted acclaimed documentaries and provided early television roles for actors like Sir Anthony Hopkins.
The 1970s saw Irvin's prolific output in TV drama, highlighted by the John le Carré adaptation "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1979). He then moved to Hollywood, directing notable films such as "The Dogs of War" (1980), "Ghost Story" (1981), "Raw Deal" (1986), and the Vietnam War drama "Hamburger Hill" (1987).
In his later career, Irvin focused on independent European cinema and co-founded the production company DearHeart. He was actively involved in completing the documentary "Mandela's Gun" and directing "Water From An Ancient Well" at the time of his death. Irvin was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie, and is survived by his three children and two grandchildren.
