Michael Apted was a prolific British director known for “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and the “Up” documentary series.
- Died: January 7, 2021 (Who else died on January 7?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 79.
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Prolific Director
Michael Apted’s first job in film was as an assistant to director Paul Almond on the 1964 documentary “Seven Up!” The documentary interviewed children from various class backgrounds. Apted then directed the future installments of “Up” that would revisit the original group every seven years, the last one being “63 Up” in 2019. He had success in feature films, directing 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” starring Sissy Spacek in an Academy Award-winning role as country star Loretta Lynn. His other films include “Gorillas in the Mist” and the James Bond movie “The World is Not Enough,” with Pierce Brosnan playing Bond. Apted was a rock music fan, directing the documentary “Bring on the Night,” about the making of Sting’s first album. Recently, he directed episodes of the Showtime series “Ray Donovan.”
Apted on the “Up” series
“Sometimes I do muse on where I was at 28 or 35 or whatever. But more often I reflect on how it has colored my whole career. I never tire of talking about it, and I bond with people over it.” – The Hollywood Reporter
Tributes to Michael Apted
Full Obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
