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Roger Michell, acclaimed director of films like Notting Hill and Venus, died yesterday (Sept. 22), his publicist has announced. The South African-born director was in Telluride with his latest film, The Duke, just three weeks ago. He was 65.
In a press statement, the director’s publicist announced the news with “great sadness” and said that Michell’s family had confirmed the news, per Deadline. No cause of death was given.
Michell spent his young years at Cambridge University, where he began directing and acting in plays. After working with folks like Danny Boyle and Simon Curtis, he became resident director at the Royal Shakespeare company for six years. Later, Michell shifted into directing for the screen.
His BBC film Persuasion, a 1995 remake of Jane Austen’s original novel, was his first major debut. Then, he was sought after by Richard Curtis to direct the romantic comedy Notting Hill, which starred Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. The film went on to become one of the most successful UK films of all time.
The director later worked on the film Changing Lanes starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson in 2002, but had to switch out after moving back to the UK for personal reasons. He collaborated with James Bond’s Daniel Craig on films like The Mother and Enduring Love, and was in talks to direct Quantum of Solace, but later left the project after creative differences.
Michell earned Peter O’Toole his eighth and final Oscar nomination for Venus, going on to direct more recent hits like My Cousin Rachel and Blackbird.
Most recently, Michell directed The Duke, which stars Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. The movie, which follows an elderly taxi driver who steals a famous work of art, currently has a 94 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Though it premiered at the 2020 Venice International Film Festival and the 2021 Telluride Film Festival, The Duke has yet to be released. At the moment, Michell’s film is slated to premiere in February 2022.
