Anthony Minghella

Director Anthony Minghella, seen here at the New York premiere of his movie "Breaking and Entering," on Jan 18, 2007, died in March 2008 at the age of 54. He was known for turning novels like "The English Patient," "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain" into award-winning movies.

Director Anthony Minghella poses with his "Breaking and Entering" stars in New York Jan. 18, 2007. From left are actors Robin Wright Penn, Juliette Binoche, and Vera Farmiga. The British-born director has worked with some of the most famous actors in the business including Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger.

British film director Anthony Minghella arrives for the European premiere of the film "The Last King of Scotland" at the opening of the 50th annual London Film Festival, in London's Leicester Square Oct. 18, 2006.

Anthony Minghella holds his Best Director Oscar at the 69th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Monday, March 24, 1997. Minghella won for "The English Patient."

Anthony Minghella embraces his "Cold Mountain" star, actor Jude Law, at the Miramax Film's post Golden Globes party Jan. 25, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Minghella was recently in Botswana filming a TV movie adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's novel "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."

Sarah Ferguson, Britain's Duchess of York and "Cold Mountain" director Anthony Minghella pose together at the 10th Annual BAFTA/LA Tea Party held at the St. Regis Hotel. Minghella worked as a playwright in London's West End and as a TV script editor before making his movie debut with "Truly, Madly, Deeply."

Anthony Minghella, nominated for best director for his work on "Cold Mountain," arrives with his wife, Caroline for the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 25, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. His 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Ripley," earned five Oscar nominations.

Director Anthony Minghella, left, accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress on behalf of Renee Zellweger from actor James Gandolfini at the 9th annual Critics' Choice Awards, Jan. 10, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Zellweger won the award for her role in Minghella's "Cold Mountain."

Director Anthony Minghella, left, watches as British rock star Elton John cuts the ribbon at the opening of a patient garden in the Ian Charleson Day Centre for patients with HIV/AIDS at the Royal Free Hospital in London, Wednesday, June 11, 2003.

Anthony Minghella arrives for The National Board of Review's 2000 Gala Awards in New York, in this Jan. 18, 2000, photo. Interested in opera, the son of Italian immigrants directed a highly successful staging of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and restaged it the following year for the season opener of New York's Metropolitan Opera.