Jodie Foster paid tribute Wednesday to Jonathan Demme, who directed her to one of film’s most powerful performances, and an Oscar, in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
“I am heart-broken to lose a friend, a mentor, a guy so singular and dynamic you’d have to design a hurricane to contain him,” the actress said in a statement. “Jonathan was as quirky as his comedies and as deep as his dramas. He was pure energy, the unstoppable cheerleader for anyone creative. Just as passionate about music as he was about art, he was and will always be a champion of the soul. JD, most beloved, something wild, brother of love, director of the lambs. Love that guy. Love him so much.”
Foster starred in the 1991 horror-thriller as FBI trainee Clarice Starling, alongside Anthony Hopkins and Scott Glenn. “Silence” earned Demme his Academy Award for best director in 1991, and the film won four more Oscars, including best actor for Anthony Hopkins and best actress for Jodie Foster.
Demme died Wednesday in New York of esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease. He was originally treated for the disease in 2010, but suffered from a recurrence in 2015. His condition deteriorated in recent weeks leading to his passing.
Demme’s other credits include “Philadelphia,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Melvin and Howard,” “Swing Shift” and “Something Wild.”
Jonathan Demme's 10 Best Movies, From 'The Silence of the Lambs' to 'Stop Making Sense' (Photos)
“Melvin and Howard” (1980)
Demme made his directorial debut on the 1974 Roger Corman flick "Caged Heat" but he really emerged with this road trip drama about a man claiming to be Howard Hughes' heir. The film won two Oscars, for Bo Goldman's script and Mary Steenburgen's supporting performance.
“Stop Making Sense” (1984)
Demme made some of the finest music concert films in the modern era, including this gem of the '80s legends the Talking Heads.
“Something Wild” (1986)
Melanie Griffith charms as a free spirit who "kidnaps" Jeff Daniels' uptight yuppie.
“Swimming to Cambodia” (1987)
Demme continued to embrace his downtown artsy background with this filmed version of Spalding Gray's one-man stage show about his experience filming "The Killing Fields."
“Married to the Mob” (1988)
In a spin on "Something Wild," a straitlaced FBI agent (Matthew Modine) falls for the wild widow of a Mafia boss (Michelle Pfeiffer), and hilarity naturally ensues.
"The Silence of the Lambs" (1991)
This is the rare thriller classic that was justly acclaimed in its own time, winning Oscars for Best Picture, Director and its two remarkable leads: Jodie Foster as country-reared FBI agent Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as erudite cannibal Hannibal Lecter.
“Philadelphia “ (1993)
Tom Hanks won his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar playing an HIV-positive man fired for his condition. Bruce Springsteen also won for his stirring theme song.
“Neil Young: Heart of Gold” (2006)
Another sublime concert film, shot over two nights at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.
“Rachel Getting Married” (2008)
Anne Hathaway earned an Oscar nod for her portrayal of a just-out-of-rehab mess who barely holds it together for her older sister's wedding -- which itself morphs into a kind of concert film with some remarkable reception-set tunes.
“Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids” (2016)
Demme got some of his strongest reviews for this concert film that premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and featured a charismatic concert turn by Tennessee native Timberlake on his "20/20 Experience" tour.
