Michael Apted

February 10, 1941 — Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Michael David Apted, CMG (10 February 1941 – January 8, 2021) was a British director, producer, writer and actor. One of the most prolific English film directors of his generation, he is known for directing: the Up series (1964–2019), the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough (1999), and the American film, Coal Miner's Daughter (1980); the latter being nominated for seven Academy Awards, including for the Best Picture. He also directed Nell (1994), which received three Golden Globe Award nominations and one Academy Award nomination. On 29 June 2003, he was elected president of the Directors' Guild of America. He returned to television, directing the first three episodes of the TV series Rome (2005). Apted directed Amazing Grace, which premiered at the closing of the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.