Milos Forman, director of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, has died, aged 86.
A report from the Czech news agency confirmed the news, saying that he died on Friday (April 13) following a short illness.
The filmmaker was one of few foreign directors to gain both critical acclaim and commercial success in Hollywood. In 2012, Forman won the Directors’ Guild of America lifetime achievement award.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, starring Jack Nicholson, went on to win five Oscars following its release in 1975. Amadeus (1984) won eight.
Figures from the film industry have paid tribute to Forman. British director Edgar Wright praised his “tremendous filmography that documented the rebel heart and human spirit”.
Very sad to hear that the great director Miloš Forman has passed away. He had a tremendous filmography that documented the rebel heart and human spirit. I have seen ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ enough times to be able to silently mouth along with the movie. RIP. pic.twitter.com/4QwOHL7tS4
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) April 14, 2018
Actor Antonio Banderas hailed Forman a “genius of cinematography and master in the portrayal of the human condition”.
“Proof that the most brilliant of filmmakers could also be unfailingly kind, generous, humble and loyal,” Mia Farrow tweeted. “Thank you Milos Forman.”
Another great one passes through the doorway. Milos Foreman. What a force. A lovely man. I’m glad we got to play together. It was a monumental experience. ;^) pic.twitter.com/wzgmOibDHs
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) April 14, 2018
Film lost one of its great true visionaries yesterday – Milos Forman. I will always be grateful to him for telling my story in The People vs Larry Flynt. He was a remarkable man with extraordinary talent. I will miss his presence on this earth.
— Larry Flynt (@ImLarryFlynt) April 14, 2018
Thinking of Milos & his well lived life. Listening to Randy Newman’s demo for Milos’ RAGTIME. Here he is at his lovely house in Connecticut. I remember driving there w/ a long draft of my first film HEAVY in 1994. I was so nervous. He was so kind.https://t.co/epoVB9ZA1Z pic.twitter.com/VvYntFGB7C
— Mangold (@mang0ld) April 14, 2018
Forman’s other work includes the rock musical Hair (1979), Ragtime (1981) and The People vs Larry Flint (1996).
The director studied at the Prague Film Academy before emigrating.