An up-and-coming screenwriter and filmmaker, Cimino hit the jackpot with "The Deer Hunter," which also won him an Oscar for directing. A critical and commercial hit, "The Deer Hunter" made the New York-born Cimino one of the hottest young filmmakers in Hollywood. Story highlights Cimino first made a splash in Hollywood by writing and directing Clint Eastwood moviesHis bomb "Heaven's Gate" became a cautionary tale about Hollywood excess(CNN) Director Michael Cimino, whose searing 1978 Vietnam War drama "The Deer Hunter" won five Oscars, including Best Picture, died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles. The movie drew praise for its epic sweep, its vivid acting -- DeNiro, Walken and Streep were all nominated for Oscars; Walken won -- and its unflinching depictions of war. Filmmaker Michael Cimino, at a 2015 event in Switzerland.

Source: CNN July 03, 2016 21:56 UTC