Minghella, Anthony (1954–2008)

English director, screenwriter, and playwright. In 1991 he won international acclaim for writing and directing Truly Madly Deeply, a low-budget film noteworthy for its understated visual style and the strength of the actors' performances. He followed with critically and commercially successful adaptations of novels, includingThe English Patient (1996; Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay), The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), and Cold Mountain (2003; Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress).

Minghella also directed theatre, television, and radio performances, including an acclaimed version of Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, which premiered at the English National Opera and opened at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, both in 2006.

He began his career working as a script editor on the UK soap opera EastEnders during the 1980s, during which time he also wrote such plays as Made in Bangkok (1987). His success with Truly Madly Deeply led to work in the USA, where he directed the romantic comedy Mr Wonderful (1993). Other films include the romantic drama Breaking and Entering (2006) and the television drama adaptation The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008). He was the British Film Institute's chairman of the board 2003–07.