Story highlights Demme's films included "Stop Making Sense," "Married to the Mob" and "Philadelphia"

He won an Oscar in 1992 for directing "The Silence of the Lambs"

(CNN) Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, whose Oscar-winning thriller "The Silence of the Lambs" terrified audiences and introduced one of the most indelible villains in movie history, died Wednesday morning in New York. He was 73.

He died of complications from esophageal cancer, according to a statement from his publicist.

Demme won consistent acclaim as the director of such diverse movies as the Talking Heads concert film "Stop Making Sense"; "Philadelphia," the 1993 drama starring Tom Hanks as a lawyer battling AIDS; and "Beloved," the 1998 Oprah Winfrey movie based on Toni Morrison's bestseller about a 19th century slave haunted by the ghost of her daughter.

Jonathan Demme at the New York Film Festival in 2012.

But it's "Silence of the Lambs" for which he was best known. The 1991 movie, based on Thomas Harris' novel, swept the Academy Awards the following year, winning Oscars for best picture and its two stars, Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, whose Hannibal Lecter character became a cultural icon. Demme also won the Oscar for best director.

The movie was a box-office hit, spawned several sequels and a TV series, and chilled viewers with its portrait of Lecter, a refined but cannibalistic serial killer who bragged about eating a victim's liver "with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Anthony Hopkins, left, with director Jonathan Demme.</s>‘Silence of the Lambs’ director Jonathan Demme dies of cancer (VIDEO)

US director Jonathan Demme poses for photographers during a photocall at the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, September 3, 2008. — Reuters pic

NEW YORK, April 27 — Jonathan Demme, the eclectic movie director whose work ranged from thrillers like The Silence of the Lambs to documentaries on leading musicians, died early yesterday of complications from esophageal cancer, his publicist said.

The 73-year-old director of ground-breaking AIDS movie Philadelphia died in his Manhattan apartment surrounded by his wife, Joanne Howard, and three children, publicist Annalee Paulo said in a statement.

Demme’s most recent feature film was the 2015 comedy Ricki and the Flash, starring Meryl Streep as an aging rocker.

Streep called him a “big hearted, big tent, compassionate man — in full embrace in his life of people in need,” in a statement yesterday.

New York-born Demme won a directing Oscar for the 1991 thriller The Silence of the Lambs, which also won Oscars for best picture and for its stars Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.

Foster said she was heartbroken at his death.

“Jonathan was as quirky as his comedies and as deep as his dramas. He was pure energy, the unstoppable cheerleader for anyone creative,” she said.

Demme’s work was wide ranging, including comedy and thrillers to bold fare like 1993 film Philadelphia, one of the first mainstream Hollywood movies to tackle the AIDS crisis.

The movie brought an Oscar for Tom Hanks.

“Jonathan taught us how big a heart a person can have, and how it will guide how we live and what we do for a living,” Hanks said in statement.

Demme also directed concert and music documentaries for Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney and Neil Young, the band Talking Heads, and more recently, Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids.

Steven Van Zandt, a member of Springsteen’s E Street Band, described him on Twitter as “one of the most beautiful souls on the planet.”

Barry Jenkins, who directed 2017 Oscar best picture Moonlight, recalled Demme’s support and warmth when that film was first doing the festival rounds.

“My man Demme was the kindest, most generous. A MASSIVE soul,” Jenkins tweeted.

Demme’s other notable films include the 2008 independent drama Rachel Getting Married, the 2004 version of The Manchurian Candidate, 1988 comedy Married to the Mob and the 1998 adaption of Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Beloved.

Paulo said the funeral for Demme would be private and that in lieu of flowers the family had asked that donations be made to the group Americans For Immigrant Justice in Miami. — Reuters</s>Jonathan Demme, who won an Oscar for directing “The Silence of the Lambs,” died Wednesday morning in New York at the age of 73.

According to multiple media reports, Demme died of esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease. He was originally treated for the disease in 2010, but suffered from a recurrence in 2015. His condition deteriorated in recent weeks leading to his passing.

Also Read: Justin Timberlake Gets the Jonathan Demme Treatment in Toronto

Demme’s eclectic film career began in the early ’70s, when he made his debut with B-movie mogul Roger Corman on the 1971 biker film, “Angeles Hard as They Come.” In the ’80s, Demme shifted to more prestigious fare with a string of critically acclaimed dramas, including “Melvin and Howard,” “Swing Shift” and “Something Wild.”

He hit his creative peak with the back-to-back successes of “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia.” “Silence” earned him his Academy Award for best director in 1991, and the film won four more Oscars, including best actor for Anthony Hopkins and best actress for Jodie Foster. “Philadelphia” garnered two Oscars, including a win for Tom Hanks’ performance.

Demme is survived by his wife, the artist Joanne Howard, and their three children.</s>LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Jonathan Demme, the Academy Award-winning director of “The Silence Of The Lambs”, died Wednesday, according to reports. He was 73.

Demme’s publicist told The Hollywood Reporter the New York-born filmmaker died at his Manhattan apartment of complications linked to esophageal cancer.

He won Best Director in 1991 for “Lambs”, which earned five Oscars in all. Demme’s next film, 1993’s “Philadelphia”, gave Tom Hanks his first Oscar and helped catapult AIDS/HIV into the national spotlight.

Demme’s other credits include the Michelle Pfeiffer comedy “Married to the Mob” and the 1984 Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense”, which is hailed by critics as one of the greatest rock movies ever made.</s>FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2008 file photo, filmmaker Jonathan Demme poses during the photo call of the movie "Burn After Reading" at the 65th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice. Demme died, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from complications from esophageal cancer in New York. He was 73. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2006 file photo, filmmaker Jonathan Demme appears at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Demme died, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from complications from esophageal cancer in New York. He was 73.

FILE - In this June 18, 2012 file photo, director Jonathan Demme attends the premiere of 'Neil Young: Journeys' in Los Angeles. Demme died, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from complications from esophageal cancer in New York. He was 73.

FILE - In this May 31, 1992 file photo, director Jonathan Demme, left, holds his award for best director, actress Jodie Foster holds her award for best actress, and actor Anthony Hopkins holds his award for best actor for their work on 'Silence of the Lambs,' at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Demme died, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from complications from esophageal cancer in New York. He was 73.

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2015 file photo, Jonathan Demme attends the premiere of 'Song One' in New York. Demme died, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, of complications from esophageal cancer in New York. He was 73.

Jonathan Demme, the eclectic, ever-enthusiastic filmmaker behind the Oscar winners "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia," and the director of one of the most seminal concert films ever made, the Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense," has died. He was 73.

Demme's publicist, Annalee Paulo, said Demme died Wednesday morning in his New York apartment, surrounded by his wife, Joanna, and three children. Demme died from complications from esophageal cancer, she said.

Demme broke into moviemaking under the B-movie master Roger Corman in the early 1970s. "The Silence of the Lambs," the 1991 thriller starring Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as an FBI analyst, brought him a new level of fame. The film earned him a directing Oscar, as well as best picture. Hopkins and Foster also earned best acting trophies for their roles.

"The Silence of the Lambs," however, was an outlier in his filmography, which was scattered across comedy, drama and music. His screwball comedy "Something Wild" starred Jeff Bridges and Melanie Griffith. "Philadelphia," with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, was one of the first major Hollywood films to confront the AIDS crisis.

Demme last year released his latest concert film, "Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids," on Netflix. Timberlake, a passionate fan of "Stop Making Sense," sought out Demme to direct it.

"I've come to believe, and I kind of felt this when we did 'Stop Making Sense,' that shooting live music is kind of like the purest form of filmmaking," Demme told The Associated Press. "There's no script to worry about. It's not a documentary, so you don't have to wonder where this story is going and what we can use. It's just: Here come the musicians. Here come the dancers. The curtain goes up. They have at it and we get to respond in the best way possible to what they're doing up there."

Demme made numerous films with Neil Young ("Heart of Gold," ''Neil Young Trunk Show," ''Neil Young Journeys") as well as a documentary of Spalding Grey's monologues ("Swimming in Cambodia") and a film with the singer-songwriter Robin Hitchcock ("Storefront Hitchcock")

"Jonathan was a born movie-maker: He loved people and he loved filming them. Fictional or actual, he caught so many lives and glimpses of lives and framed them for others to enjoy," said Hitchcock. "Jonathan was a true keeper of souls, and now we must celebrate his."

Demme most recently directed an episode of the Fox police drama "Shots Fired," scheduled to air Thursday. Demme also completed a film for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to debut July 1.</s>Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme has died at the age of 73.

The filmmaker, who won an Academy Award for The Silence Of The Lambs in 1991, had been battling oesophageal cancer.

His publicist told the Press Association: “Sadly, I can confirm that Jonathan passed away early this morning in his Manhattan apartment, surrounded by his wife, Joanne Howard, and three children.

Anne Hathaway and director Jonathan Demme at the screening for Rachel Getting Married at the Palazzo del Casino, during the 65th Venice Film Festival, Italy. (Yui Mok/PA)

“He died from complications from oesophageal cancer. and is survived by his children Ramona, age 29, and her husband James Molloy, Brooklyn, age 26, and Jos, age 21.

“There will be a private family funeral. Any possible further plans will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Americans For Immigrant Justice in Miami.”

Demme also directed Philadelphia and Rachel Getting Married, as well as the 2004 remake of The Manchurian Candidate and multiple music documentaries.

His most recent project was a Justin Timberlake concert film, Justin Timberlake And The Tennessee Kids, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Justin hailed Demme as a “genius” and said the director’s landmark 1984 concert movie, Stop Making Sense featuring Talking Heads, changed the way he wanted to see live music.

The Silence Of The Lambs was the third film in history to win Academy Awards in all the top five categories of best picture, actor, actress, director and adapted screenplay, and following its success Demme made Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington – one of the first Hollywood films to tackle the Aids crisis.

Tom, who won an Oscar for his performance in Philadelphia, told the Press Association: “Jonathan taught us how big a heart a person can have, and how it will guide how we live and what we do for a living.

He was the grandest of men.”

Christine Lahti, who starred in his film Swing Shift opposite Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, said on Twitter:</s>Jonathan Demme, the Oscar-winning director of "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia," and whose Talking Heads documentary "Stop Making Sense" is considered one of the greatest concert films ever, has died. He was 73.Demme's publicist, Annalee Paulo, said Demme died Wednesday morning in his New York apartment, surrounded by his wife, Joanna, and three children. Demme died from complications from esophageal cancer, she said.Demme broke into moviemaking under the B-movie master Roger Corman in the early 1970s. His eclectic, prodigious body of films included 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs," for which he won the best director Oscar. Other credits include "Something Wild," ''Rachel Getting Married" and the Spalding Grey documentary "Swimming to Cambodia."He last year released his latest concert film, "Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids."</s>*Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme, best known for helming 1991’s “the Silence of the Lambs” and the Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks film “Philadelphia,” has died of cancer complications, his publicist revealed Wednesday. He was 73.

Following “The Silence of the Lambs,” (only the third film in history to win Academy Awards in all the top five categories – picture, actor, actress, director, and adapted screenplay), Demme used his clout to make “Philadelphia,” one of the first major studio films to tackle the AIDS crisis and a movie that won Hanks his first Oscar for playing a gay lawyer.

The director most recently made 2015’s “Ricki and the Flash,” starring Meryl Streep as an aging rocker who must return home to Indiana due to a family crisis. The film disappointed at the box office and reviews were muted.

Demme also directed “Beloved,” the 1998 adaptation of Toni Morrison’s award-winning book starring Oprah Winfrey. In 2004, he directed Denzel Washington again in a remake of “The Manchurian Candidate.”

Robert Jonathan Demme was born in Baldwin, Long Island, New York, and attended the University of Florida. Like John Sayles, he began his directing career in Roger Corman’s stable, helming women’s prison exploitation film “Caged Heat” in 1974; nostalgic road trip film “Crazy Mama,” starring Cloris Leachman, in 1975; and Peter Fonda action film “Fighting Mad” in 1976.

In 2006 Demme was presented with the National Board of Review’s Billy Wilder Award. Demme’s nephew, director Ted Demme, died in 2002 at age 38.

Demme was married to director-producer Evelyn Purcell. He is survived by second wife Joanne Howard and their three children: Ramona, Brooklyn and Jos.</s>Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, whose Oscar-winning thriller "The Silence of the Lambs" terrified audiences and introduced one of the most indelible villains in movie history, died Wednesday morning in New York. He was 73.

He died of complications from esophageal cancer, according to a statement from his publicist.

Demme won acclaim as the director of "Philadelphia," the 1993 drama starring Tom Hanks as a lawyer battling AIDS, and "Beloved," the 1998 Oprah Winfrey movie based on Toni Morrison's bestseller about a 19th century slave haunted by the ghost of her daughter.

But it's "Silence of the Lambs" for which he was best known. The 1991 movie, based on Thomas Harris' novel, swept the Academy Awards the following year, winning Oscars for best picture and its two stars, Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, whose Hannibal Lecter character became a cultural icon. Demme also won the Oscar for best director.

The movie was a box-office hit, spawned several sequels and a TV series, and chilled viewers with its portrait of Lecter, a refined but cannibalistic serial killer who bragged about eating a victim's liver "with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Over a career that spanned four decades Demme directed an eclectic mix of movies, from the Talking Heads concert film "Stop Making Sense" to the Michelle Pfeiffer comedy "Married to the Mob" to the Anne Hathaway drama "Rachel Getting Married."

He also was a big lover of music, directing documentaries or videos for such artists as Neil Young, the Pretenders, Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake.</s>NEW YORK — Jonathan Demme, the Oscar-winning director of “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia,” and whose Talking Heads documentary “Stop Making Sense” is considered one of the greatest concert films ever, has died. He was 73.

Demme’s publicist, Annalee Paulo, said Demme died Wednesday morning in his New York apartment, surrounded by his wife, Joanna, and three children.

Demme died from complications from esophageal cancer, Paulo said.

Demme broke into moviemaking under the B-movie master Roger Corman in the early 1970s. His eclectic, prodigious body of films included 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” for which he won the best director Oscar. The film also won Oscars in the categories of best actress, actor, film and adapted screenplay, CBS New York reports.

In 1993, Demme directed Philadelphia, which garnered an Academy award for its star Tom Hanks.

Other credits include “Something Wild,” ”Rachel Getting Married” and the Spalding Grey documentary “Swimming to Cambodia.”

Last year, Demme released his latest concert film, “Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids.”

Some expressed their condolences online about Demme’s passing:
American film director Jonathan Demme, winner of the Academy Award for Best Director for The Silence of the Lambs, dies of complications from esophageal cancer.