Anthony Minghella a polpular director died on Tuesday. Film director has died following an illness. He was 56 years old.

Anthony Minghella directed the Academy Award-winning film The English Patient. His agent Judy Daish confirmed the director’s death but no further details were available. His most recent movie was The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Anthony Minghella won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1996 for the wartime romance starring Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche. Film producer David Puttnam said it was a “shattering blow”. No details about his death were immediately released.

Anthony Minghella was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for the crime thriller The Talented Mr Ripley . He also wrote the screenplay for Cold Mountain .