Wish You Were Here Director David Leland Passes Away at 82

David Leland, the director of 1987’s Wish You Were Here, has handed away at age 82.

(*82*) Deadline, Leland handed away on December 24, 2023, whereas surrounded by his household, in response to his long-time company, Cassaroto Ramsay & Associates. He is survived by his spouse, 4 daughters, a son, and 6 grandchildren.

Born in 1941, Leland skilled as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. After showing in a handful of movies and tv sequence similar to 1973’s Gawain and the Green Knight and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Leland wrote the screenplay for 1982’s Made in Britain, a tv movie directed by Alan Clarke that marked Tim Roth’s first credited work as an actor.

“David was there at the very beginning of this crazy adventure. He changed my life, and I love him for it. I’ll keep him with me always,” Roth stated.

Leland went on to jot down and star in a number of extra initiatives earlier than he made his feature-film directorial debut in 1987 with Wish You Were Here. Starring Emily Lloyd and Tom Bell, Wish You Were Here received the International Federation of Film Critics prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987, together with a number of different accolades. 

Following that, Leland directed Checking Out with Jeff Daniels in 1989 and The Big Man with Liam Neeson in 1990. “David was a dream to work with,” Neeson stated. “He was a real collaborator; he genuinely loved and admired actors. We formed a close bond. I loved his mischievous sense of humour. You are always in my heart old friend. See you down the road.”

Leland’s different function movie directing credit embody 1998’s The Land Girls, 2003’s Concert for George, and 2007’s Virgin Territory. Additionally, Leland was a co-showrunner, govt producer, author, and director on Showtime’s The Borgias, which starred Jeremy Irons.

ComingSoon sends condolences to Leland’s family and friends throughout this time.