Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sidney Lumet (1924-2011)

The headline caught my attention when I picked up the New York Daily News this morning. Acclaimed director Sidney Lumet, a 4-time nominee Academy Award nominee for Best Director, had passed away at 86 from lymphoma.

While Lumet had never earned an Oscar for his work, 10 of his films had earned nominations overall, with 4 winners, including 1976's "Network". Lumet's resume also included "12 Angry Men", "Serpico", "Dog Day Afternoon", "Prince of the City", and, surprisingly, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, "The Wiz", which starred Diana Ross & Michael Jackson. Lumet also directed the comedy, "Just Tell Me What You Want", with Alan King. Lumet had also directed a number of television programs, including the original version of You Are There, and it was Lumet who selected fellow icon Walter Cronkite to be the anchorman for the show.

You can count on the Academy posthumously rewarding Lumet for his work with an honorary Oscar next year. How he was repeatedly denied during the course of his career is an amazing mystery.

Rest in peace, Sidney. You've earned it.

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