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M.A.S.H. Director, Michael Altman Dies

?The greatest American director in the tradition of John Ford?. This is how Elliot Gould, M.A.S.H. star described the show?s director, Michael Altman who died in a Los Angeles hospital. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed. Altman had an erratic career as writer, director and producer of many films and television shows. At times, his creations were brilliant and other time, bombed at the box office.

Altman?s reputation was established in the 1970s with his smash hit comedy television series, M.A.S.H. about the daily lives in a US troop camp. He went on to produce many movies, including Dr. T and the Women in 2000. His greatest success since M.A.S.H., however, was undoubtedly as director of Gosford Park, filmed in England and depicting a satirical murder-mystery in the 1930 on a country estate.

Despite the seesaw nature of his career, Altman was nominated five times for an Academy Award for best director, including the latest nomination for Gosford Park in 2005. In 2006, he was honored with a lifetime achievement Oscar. On accepting the award, Altman gave thanks for the fact that he had only worked on films that he had chosen or developed. ?No filmmaker has gotten a better shake than I have?, he said. Altman was working on his last project ? ?A Prairie Home Companion? ? when he died.