Fox News reports that Hugh Hudson, the man who directed Chariots of Fire, has died at the age of 86. 

Hudson’s death was announced by his family in a statement provided to The Guardian.

“Hugh Hudson, 86, beloved husband and father, died at Charing Cross hospital on 10 February after a short illness,” the statement reads.

No further information on Hudson’s passing has been provided.

Who was Hugh Hudson?

Hudson began his career by making television commercials and documentaries. Among others, the documentaries that he made include Fangio: Una vita a 300 all’ora, Rupture: Living With My Broken Brain, and Lumière and Company. 

Hudson would make his feature-directing debut with the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. The film, which is about two British athletes at the 1924 Olympics, was a major success.

According to the New York Post, Chariots of Fire won a number of awards at the 1982 Academy of Awards, including Best Picture, Original Score, Writing, and Custome Design.

In addition to these achievements, the Post also reports that the film is number 19 on the British Film Institute’s list of Top 100 British films.

Fox reports, “Chariots of Fire was so successful and beloved by so many that a stage play was produced by Hudson ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This version eventually made its way to the West End, which is no small feat.”

Remembering Hugh Hudson

Hudson, speaking about Chariots of Fire, once said that it “is a personal best that’s very hard to beat. It’s a real cross. It’s a golden cross. But I’m very happy for it. I can’t deny it. I am very lucky to have had that

Although Chariots of Fire was likely Hudson’s most successful film, it was not the only film that he directed. Others include Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Revolution, and I Dreamed of Africa.” Hudson’s final film was Tiger’s Nest.

Among those who have offered a remembrance of Hudson is Nigel Havers, one of the stars of the Chariots of Fire film.

Hudson wrote:

I am beyond devastated that my great friend Hugh Hudson, who I have known for more than 45 years, has died. Chariots of Fire was one of the greatest experiences of my professional life, and, like so many others, I owe much of what followed to him. I shall miss him greatly.

Hudson is reportedly survived by his wife, Maryam D’Abo, his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue Michie.