Nicolas Roeg, ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ Director, Dies at 90
British filmmaker also directed Mick Jagger in 1970’s “The Performance”
Reid Nakamura | November 24, 2018 @ 9:32 AM
Last Updated: November 24, 2018 @ 9:38 AM
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Nicolas Roeg, the British filmmaker known for offbeat and often controversial films like “Performance,” “Don’t Look Now” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” has died at the age of 90.
Roeg’s son, Nicolas Roeg Jr, told the BBC that his father passed away late Friday night.
Getting his start as a cinematographer, Roeg rose through the industry in the 1960s, later going on to direct his own films in the ’70s and ’80s.
His credits include Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger’s acting debut, “Performance,” in 1970; “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” led by a Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie, in 1976; the Australia-set survival drama “Walkabout”; and the moody Julie Christie-Donald Sutherland thriller “Don’t Look Now.”
Roeg’s final film was the 1990 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Witches” starring Anjelica Huston.
“RIP to Nicolas Roeg, a pioneering force of cinema who created some of the most affecting moments of beauty, terror and sadness ever seen,” the British Film Institute wrote in a tweet after news of Roeg’s death broke Saturday. “A true great if ever there was one.”
RIP to Nicolas Roeg, a pioneering force of cinema who created some of the most affecting moments of beauty, terror and sadness ever seen. A true great if ever there was one. pic.twitter.com/SRuvHhC0jP
11 of David Bowie's Most Iconic Film and TV Roles (Videos)
"The Man Who Fell to Earth"
Bowie's first leading role was in 1976's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" as an alien who comes to Earth to bring water back to his home planet. Bowie later admitted he was abusing cocaine while filming the movie.
"The Hunger"
Starring alongside Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, Bowie played a vampire in the 1983 cult classic "The Hunger."
"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
An adaptation of the Laurens van der Post novel "The Seed and the Sower," 1983's "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" starred Bowie as a POW held in a Japanese internment camp during WWII.
"Labyrinth"
Bowie's most iconic on-screen role was as the big-haired Goblin King Jareth in Jim Henson's "Labyrinth" in 1986. In addition to starring in the film alongside Jennifer Connelly, Bowie also composed all of the music.
"The Last Temptation of Christ"
Replacing Sting, who passed on the role, Bowie played religious figure Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" in 1988 alongside Willem Dafoe as Jesus Christ.
"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me"
Though he never appeared in the original ABC series, Bowie appeared in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" prequel movie "Fire Walk With Me" in 1992.
"Basquiat"
In one of his smaller film appearances, the "Life on Mars" singer played artist Andy Warhol in Julian Schnabel's biopic of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1996.
"The Hunger" (TV Series)
Bowie narrated the second season of the Showtime horror anthology "The Hunger" in 2000, providing ominous introductions to standalone stories about cannibalism, vampires, sex, and poison each week.
"Zoolander"
One of the most memorable moments from 2001's "Zoolander" was a scene in which Bowie judged a walk-off between Ben Stiller's Derek Zoolander and Owen Wilson's character Hansel.
"The Prestige"
Playing Andy Warhol in "Basquiat" wasn't the last time Bowie portrayed a real-life figure on screen. In 2005 he appeared in Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" as physicist Nikola Tesla.
"Extras"
In 2007, Bowie made a guest appearance on Ricky Gervais' comedy series "Extras" as himself, sitting down at a piano and singing a biting tribute to the comedian
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From “Labyrinth” to “The Prestige,” Bowie’s onscreen roles added another dimension to a legendary career that ended two years ago
"The Man Who Fell to Earth"
Bowie's first leading role was in 1976's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" as an alien who comes to Earth to bring water back to his home planet. Bowie later admitted he was abusing cocaine while filming the movie.
