Director Blake Edwards dies from pneumonia aged 88

LONDON - ‘Pink Panther’ director Blake Edwards has died of pneumonia at the age of 88.

The filmmaker’s wife Julie Andrews’ and other family members were by his side when he passed away at the St John’s Medical Health Centre in Santa Monica.

His publicist Gene Schwam said the director had been receiving hospital treatment for two weeks prior to his death.

Edwards, who suffered from knee problems, was confined to wheelchair for about last 2 years.

Before being hospitalized, the director had been working on two Broadway musicals, including one based on his Pink Panther movies.

“His heart was as big as his talent. He was an Academy Award winner in all respects,” the Daily Mail quoted Schwam, who was friends with Edwards for over 40 years, as saying.

Apart from the ‘Pink Panther’ movies, amongst his most famous films were ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’, ‘Victor/Victoria’ and ‘10′.

In 2004, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscars. (ANI)