Bryan Forbes, 'Stepford Wives' Director, Dies at 86

WENN

Hollywood is mourning the death of English film director, screenwriter, and actor, Bryan Forbes. Forbes, who helmed The Stepford Wives in 1975, passed away Wednesday, May 8, at his home on Surrey, England. Forbes had been battling an illness prior to his passing. He was 86 at the time of his death.
Forbes has a long resume for his work in the film industry. Besides directing The Stepford Wives, he also co-wrote the screenplay for Chaplin — the biopic about Charlie Chaplin's life, starring Robert Downey Jr. Forbes earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing The Angry Silence (1960), featuring Richard Attenborough.
Forbes made his film debut as a director in 1961 with Whistle Down the Wind starring Alan Bates and Haley Mills. He also directed King Rat, The Wrong Box, International Velvet, and Long Ago Tomorrow.
But prior to writing and directing, Forbes started out his career as an actor. He appeared British films including An Inspector Calls and The Colditz Story in the 1950s. After that, he formed a production company with his buddy Attenborough.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Forbes was also a published novelist. He penned several books including The Soldier's Story, which was published last year.
In 2004, Forbes was a Commander of Order of the British Empire for his contributions to the arts. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.