The director of 1978's 'La Cage aux Folles' passes away in a hospital in Paris at the age of 85 because of lung failure.
- December 9, 2013
AceShowbiz -
Edouard Molinaro, who is popular for his French movie "La Cage aux Folles", has passed away. The Academy Award-nominated director died in Paris on Saturday, December 7 because of lung failure, BBC reports.
French president Francois Hollande praised the famed director in a statement following his death. "Edouard Molinaro possessed the talent for attracting a broad public to quality films. This film-maker, who had a rich and varied career, directed the greatest actors of French cinema while winning over the public, and winning the admiration of his peers, at the same time," the statement read.
Molinaro started his career with action movies before switching to comedies. He is probably mostly remembered for 1978's "La Cage aux Folles", a movie about a gay couple who pretends to be straight. Based on musical of the same name, the movie was nominated for three Oscars. The flick was remade into "The Birdcage" in 1996, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
In addition to "La Cage aux Folles", Molinaro's other credits include "A Ravishing Idiot", starring Anthony Perkins and Brigitte Bardot. He also took part in 1967's "Oscar" which featured Louis de Funes, and 1969's "My Uncle Benjamin" with Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. In his later years, he directed French TV movies and series.
