Born on February 16, 1926, in London, he was a prominent British film director and actor. He gained acclaim for his groundbreaking film "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Known for his versatile storytelling, he directed films like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (1971) and "Marathon Man" (1976). His work often explored themes of personal struggle and societal issues. He passed away on July 25, 2003, leaving a lasting impact on cinema.