David Leland: Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson lead tributes to filmmaker

Stars together with Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson and Tim Roth have paid tribute to author, director and actor David Leland following his loss of life on the age of 82.

The British star died on Christmas Eve, “held tight by his loving family”, his agent confirmed.

In a profession spanning greater than 5 a long time, he was identified for writing two hit movies about British madam Cynthia Payne, the primary titled Personal Services and starring Dame Julie Walters.

The second, Wish You Were Here, marked his directorial debut and gained a BAFTA for finest authentic screenplay, in addition to the Fipresci prize on the Cannes movie pageant.

Leland additionally gained an Emmy for his directing of an episode of the US conflict drama Band Of Brothers in 2002, and was each a director and author for The Borgias.

‘An important a part of my story’

Paying tribute, Brosnan, 70, mentioned Leland held “a mighty place in my heart” for giving him an opportunity not lengthy after he had left the previous Drama Centre college in London, of which Leland was an alumni.

He had given the James Bond star his first stage position within the British premiere of Tennessee Williams’ The Red Devil Battery Sign on the Roundhouse.

“It was the thrill of my young lifetime to be cast as McCabe, working with David and Tennessee,” Brosnan mentioned. “David will forever be an essential part of my story and of all who knew and loved him.”

Leland’s directorial credit additionally included The Big Man in 1990, starring Neeson, Sir Billy Connolly and Hugh Grant.

‘You are all the time in my coronary heart, outdated pal’

Neeson, 71, described him as “a dream” to work with.

“He was a real collaborator,” he mentioned. “He genuinely loved and admired actors. We formed a close bond.

“I beloved his mischievous sense of humour. You are all the time in my coronary heart, outdated pal. See you down the highway.”

Leland initially trained as an actor at the Central Speech of School and Drama, and appeared in several productions before moving into stage management at the Crucible Theatre.

His credits for screenwriting and directing include Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa, starring Sir Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins, and Made In Britain, starring Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs star Tim Roth in his first film role.

“David was there on the very starting of this loopy journey,” Roth, 62, said. “He modified my life, and I like him for it. I’ll maintain him with me all the time.”

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Leland directed movies together with The Land Girls with Rachel Weisz and Anna Friel, and returned to the stage to direct the musical A Tribute To The Blues Brothers – which performed within the West End and toured for 10 years throughout the UK and Australia.

In a press release, BAFTA paid tribute, saying: “We are saddened to hear that director and writer David Leland has died at the age of 82.”

Leland gained a Grammy for finest long-form music video for Concert For George – a memorial music occasion on the Royal Albert Hall in honour of George Harrison. He was a detailed pal of the late Beatles star and labored as a director on the guitarist’s 1988 movie Checking Out.

He additionally directed movies for different musical stars together with Tom Petty and The Traveling Wilburys.

He is survived by his spouse Sabrina, his 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren “all of whom he loved almost as much as Arsenal Football Club”.