Legendary writer-director Blake Edwards died from complications of pneumonia late Wednesday. He had been hospitalized for about two weeks and breathed his last at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, surrounded by his wife of 42 years Julie Andrews and his children. He was 88.
Variety reports,
Writer-director Blake Edwards passed away this morning at age 88. The filmmaker was regarded as a modern master of contemporary film comedy via such movies as “The Pink Panther” series and “10.” Edwards was married to his first wife, Patricia, for fourteen years. They had a daughter Jennifer and a son Geoffrey. In 1969, he married Andrews and the couple adopted two Vietnamese orphans Amy Leigh and Joanna Lynn. Andrews and his children were at his bedside at his passing.
Blake Edwards will always be remembered for his amazing contribution as writer, director and producer, including masterpieces such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Switch, Skin Deep, 10 with Dudley Moore, Victor/Victoria with his wife Julie Andrews and, above all, The Pink Panther series with Peter Sellers. Edwards was presented an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2004.
R.I.P. Blake Edwards.
