Oscar-winning LA Confidential screenwriter Curtis Hanson dies aged 71
The man behind Eminem's 8 Mile passed away at his Los Angeles home
Oscar-winning writer and film director Curtis Hanson has passed away at the age of 71.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Hanson died of natural causes at his home.
Hanson was probably best known as the screenwriter behind the critically acclaimed neo-noir crime drama LA Confidential, for which he won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
But he also made waves behind the camera, perhaps most notably directing The River Wild with Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon in 1994, and Wonder Boys featuring Tobey Maguire and Michael Douglas in 2000.
Hanson also collaborated with Eminem, stepping back behind the camera to direct the rapper’s film 8 Mile.
"Curtis Hanson believed in me and our crazy idea to make a rap battle movie set in Detroit,” Eminem said in a statement. "He basically made me into an actor for 8 Mile. I'm lucky I got to know him."
