British film director John Irvin, who directed the BAFTA-winning BBC miniseries 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' as well as films such as 'Hamburger Hill', 'The Dogs of War', and 'Raw Deal', has died at the age of 86. His producer, Claire Evans, confirmed to The Guardian that Irvin passed away 'peacefully at home' on August 11, surrounded by his family.
Throughout a 50-year career spanning television, documentaries, and action films, Irvin worked with numerous prominent actors ranging from Fred Astaire to Arnold Schwarzenegger. His most renowned work was 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', based on John le Carré's novel and starring Alec Guinness. The success of this project paved the way for the director to enter Hollywood, where he directed a series of notable films in the 1980s and 1990s.
Born in 1940 in Wallasey, Cheshire, John Irvin studied at the London Film School and worked for British Movietone News. Among his later directorial works are independent films and the 2016 biopic 'The Kalushi Story' (Mandela's Gun), a new version of which he had been working on recently. The director is survived by his three children—Emily, Luke, and Amy—and two grandchildren.
