‘Champion Of Cinema’ Peter Bogdanovich Passes Away, Filmmakers Pay Tribute

Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich passed away on January 6, 2022. He was said to have passed away from natural causes at his home at the age of 82.

Bogdanovich was an American director, writer, actor, producer, critic, and film historian. In addition to films like “Paper Moon,” “What’s Up, Doc?” “They All Laughed,” and “The Last Picture Show,” Bogdanovich also worked on TV shows like “The Sopranos,” “Cybill,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”

Bogdanovich has been credited as an important influence by major filmmakers, who took a moment on Thursday afternoon to pay their respects to the legendary talent.

“Peter Bogdanovich passed away,” Guillermo del Torotweeted. “He was a dear friend and a champion of Cinema. He birthed masterpieces as a director and was a most genial human. He single-handedly interviewed and enshrined the lives and work of more classic filmmakers than almost anyone else in his generation.”

“He became a close friend and was active and brilliant to the end,” he continued. “He was working on a beautiful screenplay and to talk about the craft and ideas for it was delightful. A pure cinephile- Please watch Paper Moon tonight.”

“Or The Last Picture Show, or What's Up Doc? or Targets so he can stay alive in them, and to remember all he achieved as a filmmaker,” he added. “And if you can, please read his beautiful books: Who The Devil Made It, Who The Devil Is In It, Movie of the Week, etc, etc for they are love letters to Cinema- to its scale and ambition.”

“It was my honor to meet Peter and to share time with him,” he concluded. “If you know his work, please honor him. If you don't, please get acquainted with it.”

“This Is Orson Welles is a brilliant book by Peter,” he later added. “Read it, please.”

Del Toro was not the only filmmaker to express their condolences for the great author.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnsontweeted, “Peter made some of my favorite movies, and was also incredibly kind and generous with his time to younger filmmakers, the same way the legends he idolized were to him back in the day.”

“The Princess Bride” actor Cary Elwestweeted, “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of my oldest friends, legendary director & film historian, Peter Bogdanovich. Besides being extraordinarily talented, he was a gentle soul with an enormous heart. I am forever grateful to have worked with him. RIP Peter.”

Writer for “The Simpsons,” Michael Price, tweeted, “RIP Peter Bogdanovich. He made some amazing films, including one the greatest comedies of all time, “What’s Up, Doc?” I had the pleasure to direct him for his brief cameo in my episode “Yokel Chords” and he did not disappoint.”

Director Rod Lurietweeted, “#PeterBogdanovich has passed away at the age of 82. He was a brilliant director (SAINT JACK is the masterwork you may not know) and also a marvelous film critic and author. In many ways, he was the North Star of my career. RIP.”

Director Paul Feigtweeted, “One of my favorite comedies of all time and the movie that made me want to make people laugh when I was a kid, ‘What’s Up Doc?’, was made by the great Peter Bogdanovich. So sad to hear of his passing. Thank you for all you did for film, sir. RIP Peter.”