OBITUARIES

Legendary 'Pink Panther' Creator Blake Edwards Has Died at 88

by Ethan Anderton
December 16, 2010
Source: Variety

Though people may not be a fan of the recent film adaptations of The Pink Panther featuring Steve Martin as bumbling French detective Inspector Clouseau, those films are merely the tip of a much more impressive iceberg in the history of comedy on film. Therefore, it is sad to hear Variety's report that Blake Edwards, the creator and writer/director of many films in the iconic film series, has passed away at age 88. Along with crafting no less than six films with Peter Sellers as the infamous Inspector Clouseau, the writer/director has left his mark on cinema with various other projects and even more late, great talents from decades past.

In addition to working with Sellers, the late director also found himself in the company of Dudley Moore for the mid-life crisis comedy 10, which actually turned out to be his most successful film at the box office. Edwards also worked with Audrey Hepburn when he stepped up as a replacement to direct Breakfast at Tiffany's, the adaptation of Truman Capote's novel of the same name. And even though certain films didn't measure up to his usual quality, such box office disasters like Darling Lili still allowed him to work with great talent in the form of Julie Andrews who would become his wife. All his work in entertainment was recognized when he received an Honorary Academy Award in 2004. The slapstick-loving director is certainly a huge link in the chain of comedy's evolution, and Blake Edwards will certainly be missed. Rest in peace, sir.

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