David Leland, the British author, director and actor whose credit embrace “Want You Have been Right here,” “The Borgias” and extra, died on Dec. 24, in line with his brokers Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. He was 82. A explanation for loss of life was not revealed.
Leland lower his enamel in theater, the place he directed the world premiere of Michael Palin and Terry Jones’ “Their Best Hours” and gave Pierce Brosnan his first alternative to behave on stage within the British premiere of Tennessee Williams’ “The Purple Satan Battery Signal.”
A distinguished movie and TV screenwriting profession adopted, together with “Made in Britain” (1982) directed by Alan Clarke and starring Tim Roth; “Start of a Nation” (1983) by Mike Newell; and Neil Jordan’s Oscar, Golden Globe and WGA-nominated “Mona Lisa” (1986), that includes a BAFTA-winning efficiency by Bob Hoskins.
Leland made his directorial debut with “Want You Have been Right here” (1987), which gained him the BAFTA for greatest authentic screenplay, and the movie additionally gained the Fipresci prize at Cannes. His movie credit additionally embrace “The Large Man” (1990) starring Liam Neeson, and “Land Women” (1998) starring Rachel Weisz.
A detailed pal of George Harrison, Leland directed “Checking Out” (1988), starring Jeff Daniels, which Harrison produced by way of HandMade Movies, and several other Touring Wilburys music movies. He additionally directed the music video for Tom Petty’s “I Received’t Again Down,” with Harrison and Ringo Starr showing, and Paul McCartney’s “Brown Eyed Good-looking Man.” Following Harrison’s loss of life Leland directed the documentary “Live performance For George” (2003), a memorial live performance that includes the remaining Beatles McCartney and Starr, in addition to Eric Clapton and Petty. Leland gained a Grammy for the documentary.
Leland returned to the theater in 1991 to direct the stage musical “A Tribute to the Blues Brothers,” which performed at London’s West Finish.
Highlights of Leland’s TV work embrace directing the episode “Bastogne” for HBO miniseries, “Band of Brothers” (2001), receiving an Emmy Award for his route, and as director and author on Showtime’s “The Borgias,” starring Jeremy Irons. Leland returned as joint showrunner for the second season.
Tributes have been pouring in for Leland.
“David Leland holds a mighty place in my coronary heart. He gave me my break as an actor in Tennessee Williams’ play ‘The Purple Satan Battery Signal.’ I used to be simply out of Drama Heart the place David was additionally an alumni. It was the joys of my younger lifetime to be forged as McCabe, working with David and Tennessee. David will endlessly be a vital a part of my story and of all who knew and cherished him,” wrote Brosnan.
Tim Roth added, “David was there on the very starting of this loopy journey. He modified my life, and I really like him for it. I’ll hold him with me all the time.”
Liam Neeson mentioned, “David was a dream to work with. He was an actual collaborator; he genuinely cherished and admired actors. We fashioned a detailed bond. I cherished his mischievous humorousness. You’re all the time in my coronary heart previous pal. See you down the street.”
Terry Gilliam mentioned, “The lack of David may be very unhappy. As a pal, and as a writer-director, he was all the time solidly grounded… invariably delicate and ruthlessly sincere. His 1987 movie, ‘Want You Have been Right here,’ continues to be certainly one of my all-time favourite British movies.”
Leland is survived by his spouse, Sabrina, his 4 daughters, his son and his six grandchildren.
