Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison (1926-2024) has died. The acclaimed director, who became famous for films like “Moonstruck” and “In the Heat of the Night,” was 97 years old. Jewison died peacefully at his home on Saturday, BBC.com reported, citing a spokesman.
The well-known filmmaker was nominated for an Oscar three times in the Best Director category, for “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), “Anatevka” (1971) and “Moonstruck” (1987). For directing the latter work he won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale. In 1999 he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Singer and actress Cher (77), who received the Oscar for Best Actress for “Moonstruck” in 1988, mourns Norman Jewison on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), she thanked him “for one of the greatest, happiest and most fun experiences of my life.” She added: “Without you I wouldn’t have my beautiful golden man.” Cher went on to say that Jewison made the film so great. The director lives on through his work.
In his long career, which began in the 1950s, the film director worked with Cher as well as many other major Hollywood stars, including Denzel Washington (69) and Sidney Poitier (1927-2022).
Norman Jewison is survived by his wife, children Kevin, Michael and Jenny, and grandchildren Ella, Megan, Alexandra, Sam and Henry, according to People magazine. According to the report, there will be celebrations in Los Angeles and Toronto, his hometown, at a later date in honor of the deceased.
