Mel Stuart, the acclaimed documentary-maker who won lengions of fans when he directed Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, has passed away from cancer at the age of 83. The producer of over 100 films, he was the prod recipient of a ioneer Award from the International Documentary Association and was nominated for an Oscar for Four Days In November, seen by many as the definitive work on the Kennedy assassination.
Stuart's documentaries took on a wide range of subjects, from music (he once dreamed of becoming a composer) to politics, sport, photography, the Holocaust and high finance. He was known for his sharp journalistic sense and was highy respected in the industry. His venture into Roald Dahl territory, creating a cult favourite, came at the request of his daughter who was convinced of his ability to bring her favourite book to life.
Stuart had been ill for some time and was at home in Los Angeles when he dies. He is survived by his wife Roberta and three children, Madelaine, Peter, and Andrew.
