Robert Altman: 1925-2006

Director Robert Altman, an independent filmmaker known for his stylized works with ensemble casts, died in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, at the age of 81. He is pictured here during the Sarasota Film Festival at the Longboat Key Club and Resort April 8, 2006 in Sarasota, Fla.

Director Robert Altman arrives at the 2006 Oscars on March 5, in Hollywood, Calif. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Altman an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. He never won a Best Director Oscar though he was nominated five times.

Robert Altman accepts an award at the 2006 Filmmakers' Tribute Dinner during the Sarasota Film Festival April 8, 2006, in Sarasota, Fla. It was among many awards the director received in his lifetime.

Robert Altman poses for photographers after the awards ceremony of the 45th Cannes Film Festival May 18, 1992. Altman was named best director for "The Player."

Director Robert Altman, left, chats with Keith Richards, center, and Helen Mirren at the party following the New York premiere of his movie "Gosford Park" in New York City on Dec. 3, 2001.

Robert Altman gives his thanks after receiving his trophy during the 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 20, 2002. Altman won for the Best Director - Motion Picture for his film "Gosford Park."

Film director Robert Altman, far right, Sally Kellerman, Jack Lemmon and Lauren Bacall, right, are shown at Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Monday, April 18, 1994. Altman was being honored at this gala tribute by the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Director Robert Altman is interviewed while arriving at the screening of his new movie "The Company," at the Paris Theater in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003.

Director Robert Altman is flanked by wife Kathryn, left, and actress Neve Campbell during the screening of "The Company" at the Paris Theater in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003.

Robert Altman, right, actress Whoopi Goldberg, center, and actor Tim Robbins are shown at the 45th Cannes International Film Festival in the French Riviera, Saturday, May 9, 1992. Altman won the best director award at the festival for his movie "The Player," which stars Robbins and Goldberg.

Robert Altman attends the New York premiere for "Hunting of the President," held at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, , Wednesday, June 16, 2004, in New York.

Robert Altman, right, chats with Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., left and actor Michael Murphy on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in the FleetCenter in Boston, Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Altman was directing a Sundance cable channel production of "Tanner on Tanner" starring Michael Murphy.

Robert Altman, left, gives instructions to actress Cynthia Nixon on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in the FleetCenter in Boston, Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Altman was directing a Sundance cable channel production of "Tanner on Tanner," starring Nixon.

Robert Altman stands outside of the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul, Minn., during the first day of filming of the "Prairie Home Companion" movie on Wednesday, June 29, 2005.

Robert Altman, second from right, poses with the stars of his newest movie "A Prairie Home Companion" at the 56th Berlinale International Film Festival Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006. From left are actors Woody Harrelson, Meryl Streep, Altman and Lindsay Lohan.

Garrison Keillor, right, listens as director Robert Altman answers a question during a news conference May 3, 2006, in St. Paul, Minn., where cast members gathered for the world premiere of the move "A Prairie Home Companion," which was filmed in St. Paul the previous summer. The film is based on Keillor's radio show.

Garrison Keillor, center, stands with his daughter, Maia Grace, and director Robert Altman and Altman's wife, Kathryn Reed, obscured by a photographer, before walking the red carpet outside the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

Radio host and actor Garrison Keillor, far left, whose decades-old radio show has been turned into a Robert Altman movie, poses with cast at the New York premiere June 4, 2006. From left are actress Virginia Madsen, Picturehouse President Bob Berney, New Line Cinema's Michael Lynne, actresses Lindsay Lohan, Lily Tomlin, and Meryl Streep and actor Kevin Kline.

DVD Launch — AP Photo/Marion Curtis, New Line

Garrison Keillor, left, and director Robert Altman celebrate the DVD release of the film "A Prairie Home Companion," Oct. 31, 2006 in New York. The reception and panel discussion was held at The Museum of Television & Radio in New York.