"Pink Panther" creator Blake Edwards dead at 88

[News_Editor]

"Pink Panther" creator Blake Edwards dead at 88

2010-12-17 04:15:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- Writer-director Blake Edwards died as a result of complications of pneumonia at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday evening, Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday.

The announcement was made by Gene Schwam, Edwards' long time publicist who added that his wife and children were at his bedside when he passed away. Edwards is most remembered for co-writing and directing the "Pink Panther" film series.

Edwards was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1922. He moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was three years old and eventually graduated from Beverly Hills High. He then began working in front of the camera in films such as "Ten Gentlemen from West Point" and "In the Meantime, Darling."

In 1946, Edwards co-wrote and produced the western "Panhandle" for Monogram Pictures for $400,000. The film starred Rod Cameron and Edwards himself. His first box-office hit was in 1959 with "Operation Petticoat," a comedy about a World War II submarine crew starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.

However, the turning point in the director's career came with "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961. The movie was based in the Truman Capote novel and won two Oscars. Following the successful film, Edwards directed the thriller "Experiment in Terror" and the drama "Days of Wine and Roses," both in 1962.

Despite being a versatile director, Edwards is most acclaimed for his comedies. In 1964, he directed "The Pink Panther" and "A Shot in the Dark," starring Peter Sellers as French police inspector Clouseau. Edwards was recognized as a modern master of slapstick comedy and sight gags.

In the seventies, Edwards continued the "pink Panther" movies with success. He also married for the second time with actress Julie Andrews and the two collaborated in the 1982 comedy "Victor/Victoria." The couple adopted two Vietnamese orphans Amy Leigh and Joanna Lynn.

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