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Sad news from London this morning reveals that Anthony Minghella, who in 1996 won an Oscar for directing The English Patient, has passed away. He was 54. Minghella's death was confirmed this morning by his agent Judy Daish; no further details on the cause are currently available.

Also Oscar-nominated for his screenplay adaptations of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain, Minghella recently wrapped his Bostwana-based production The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. He also had a segment in the works for the forthcoming anthology New York, I Love You and shares producer credits on no fewer than four projects in development, including the Weinstein Company's Oscar-season hopeful The Reader. Representatives for TWC were unavailable this morning when contacted for comment .