Innovative director Robert Altman died in hospital yesterday, aged 81.
The cause of death of the maverick film-maker, famed for his intricate plotlines, naturalistic style and improvisational technique, has not been released.
Known for risk-taking, Altman was once quoted as saying: "To play it safe, is not to play."
And he was dismissive of his status as a cult figure, saying: "What's a cult? It just means not enough people to make a minority."
In a career spanning more than 50 years as a director and writer, he was nominated for an Oscar five times - for MASH, The Player, Short Cuts and Gosford Park (for best director and best picture).
But it wasn't until this year that the director, who also founded film distributor Lions Gate Films, was finally recognised by the Academy.He was awarded an honourary statuette and Academy President Sid Ganis said: "The board was taken with Altman's innovation, his redefinition of genres, his invention of new ways of using the film medium and his reinvigoration of old ones.
"He is a master film maker and well deserves this honour."
When he accepted his award, Altman said: "I'm very fortunate in my career.I've never had to direct a film I didn't choose or develop. My love for film-making has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition."
His final film A Prairie Home Companion, about the last broadcast of a radio show was released in the US earlier this year but is not yet scheduled for a UK release.
Altman pictured above on the set of A Prairie Home Companion picture copyright © 2006 Picturehouse
Read our full obituary tribute.
