Oscar-winning filmmaker Curtis Hanson died of natural causes Tuesday, September 20, according to multiple reports. He was 71.
Hanson, who was best known for directing 8 Mile and L.A. Confidential, was found dead in his home in Hollywood Hills, California, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN Wednesday, September 21.
In 1998, the director won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for cowriting the neo-noir crime film L.A. Confidential with Brian Helgeland. (Hanson also directed the movie.) The 1997 classic, which was nominated for nine Oscars, starred Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kim Basinger (who also won an Oscar for her performance in the film).
Hanson also famously directed 8 Mile, the 2002 semi-autobiographical film that centered around rapper Eminem, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself.”
After news broke of Hanson’s death, Eminem released a statement to Billboard, saying, “Curtis Hanson believed in me and our crazy idea to make a rap battle movie set in Detroit. He basically made me into an actor for 8 Mile. I’m lucky I got to know him.”
Several other stars took to social media Tuesday to pay tribute to the late movie icon. Kevin Bacon, who starred in Hanson’s 1994 film The River Wild alongside Meryl Streep, tweeted, “So sad to hear about Curtis Hanson. great director. great man. Riding that river with him was one of the greatest gigs of my life.”
Crowe, who launched his successful career in L.A. Confidential, wrote, “RIP Curtis Hansen . Thank you for believing in me & standing your ground. In reality you made my job a career. Love & respect my friend.”
Katie Holmes, who starred in Hanson’s 2000 film Wonder Boys, shared a sweet Instagram collage of photos of herself and Hanson, writing, “RIP dear Curtis Hanson.”
See more celeb tributes below.
