At the age of 81 years, legendary film director Robert Altman died Monday, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His passing was the result of complications with cancer. Altman enjoyed a career filled with much critical acclaim. Among his many honors, he was nominated for the “Best Director” Academy Award five times, for the films M*A*S*H (1970), Nashville (1975), The Player (1992), Short Cuts (1993) and Gosford Park (2001). Two of those films, Nashville and Gosford Park, were praised with “Best Picture” Oscar nominations. Although Altman never received the “Best Director” Oscar, he was given an Honorary Award by the Academy, in 2006.

In 1980, Popeye, Altman’s live-action film adaptation of the cartoon sailor man, was released by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions. The musical achieved respectable box office results, while also marking the movie debut of Robin Williams, in the title role. For more information on the life of Robert Altman, please visit the Internet Movie Database and Yahoo!/Associated Press.