Actor and director Richard Attenborough has died, aged 90

Legendary actor and director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90.

Lord Attenborough’s son told the BBC that his father passed away around lunchtime today (August 24).

Lord Attenborough and his wife, actress Sheila Sim, who survives him, had lived in a nursing home for several years. His brother, naturalist Sir David Attenborough, revealed in 2008 that Lord Attenborough had been confined to a wheelchair following a stroke.

Attenborough’s acting career spanned six decades and included roles in films including 1947’s Brighton Rock, 1963’s The Great Escape, 1967’s Doctor Dolittle, 1993’s Jurassic Park and its 1997 sequel The Lost World, and 1994’s Miracle on 34th Street.

He directed 12 films between 1969 and 2007 including 1982’s Gandhi – which won him a pair of Oscars, for Best Picture and Best Director – 1992’s Chaplin and 1993’s Shadowlands.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since paid tribute to the late actor and director on Twitter. See his tweet below.

His acting in “Brighton Rock” was brilliant, his directing of “Gandhi” was stunning – Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) August 24, 2014

Attenborough was made a Life Peer in 1993, becoming Lord Attenborough, and served as the director of Chelsea Football Club between 1969 and 1982. He is survived by his wife and two of his three children.