Lord Attenborough Died At Lunchtime Today

[Raistlin]

Richard Attenborough, the British actor and film director, has died at the age of 90.

Lord Attenborough's son Michael confirmed that he died at lunchtime today, just five days away from his 91st birthday.

He was one of Britain's leading actors, before becoming a highly successful director.

He appeared in films including Brighton Rock, World War Two thriller The Great Escape and later in dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park.

Lord Attenborough, who was born in Cambridge, was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough, the naturalist and broadcaster, and John Attenborough, who was an executive at Alfa Romeo before his death in 2012.

In March last year, he moved into Denville Hall care home because of his failing health.

His wife Sheila Sim, 92, who suffers from dementia, was already based at the home.

It was a specialist charity care home for elderly or sick entertainers in west London. Both Lord and Lady Attenborough fundraised extensively for the home.

After his death, Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement: 'His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema.'

Lord Attenborough, who won eight Oscars for his 1982 epic Gandhi, had been confined to a wheelchair since suffering a stroke six years ago.

But his family said he never fully recovered and continued to struggle to communicate and move around.

Lord Attenborough was given a knighthood in 1976. In 1993 he became a life peer as Baron Attenborough of Richmond Upon Thames, accepting the labour whip.

The renowned actor - who was also a long-serving president of Bafta - met his wife, a fellow actress, when they were students at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London and co-starred in a play, The Lady With The Lamp.