Sir Alan Parker, director of Bugsy Malone and Evita, dies aged 76
Written by News on 02/08/2020
Oscar and BAFTA winner Sir Alan Parker, who directed films including Bugsy Malone, Fame and Evita, has died aged 76.
Sir Alan’s works won a total of 19 BAFTAs, 10 Golden Globes and 10 Oscars during his career.
A statement sent on behalf of his family said he died on Friday morning.
Sir Alan is survived by his wife Lisa Moran-Parker, his children Lucy, Alexander, Jake, Nathan and Henry, and seven grandchildren.
Film director David Puttnam, who produced some of his films, was among those who paid tribute.
He said: “Alan was my oldest and closest friend, I was always in awe of his talent.
“My life and those of many others who loved and respected him will never be the same again.”
Director Nick Murphy described Sir Alan as a “huge talent”.
“Alan Parker made so many wonderful movies. Just wonderful. A huge talent. As I’m sure you know. RIP Alan Parker,” he tweeted.
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He was born in Islington in London in February 1944 and began his career in advertising as a copywriter.
Sir Alan then moved to writing and directing commercials, moving into long form drama when he directed the BBC film The Evacuees, written by Jack Rosenthal, in 1974.
Bugsy Malone, a musical pastiche of Hollywood gangster films of the 1930s with a cast of children, was his first feature film.
The 1975 film was written and directed by Sir Alan.
Midnight Express, his second film, was released in 1977.
It won two Oscars, six Golden Globes and four BAFTAs.
Four years later he directed Pink Floyd – The Wall, the feature film adaptation of the band’s seminal album, which became a cult classic among music lovers.
Sir Alan was made a CBE for services to the British film industry in 1995 and was knighted in 2002.
He received the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award, the body’s highest honour, in 2013.
Two years ago, Sir Alan donated his significant private collection of scripts and working papers to the BFI National Archive.
(c) Sky News 2020: Sir Alan Parker, director of Bugsy Malone and Evita, dies aged 76
