RIP Sydney Pollack (1934-2008)

Multi talented director producer and actor Sydney Pollack died of cancer on Monday at the age of 73 at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. He was surrounded by family, said his publicist, Leslee Dart. He had been diagnosed with cancer about nine months ago.

Pollack is best known for the 1985 film Out of Africa, for which he won two Academy Awards as director and producer. He also helmed The Way We Were, with Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford in 1973 -- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? The Firm the intense thriller Three Days of the Condor, the 1995 remake of Sabrina. Pollack's final directorial effort was the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry.

For me though. his finest work was the 1982 gender bending comedy Tootsie--everything about film worked perfectly. Dustin Hoffman plays a struggling actor so desperate for work, he willing to take a part on a daytime soap playing a woman.. Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, and Bill Murray co-star. Pollack plays Hoffman's agent in the film

Which leads me to his acting credits: making appearances on TV's "Will & Grace" and "The Sopranos" His last on screen role is the recently released Made of Honor-playing dad to Patrick Dempsey's character.

Pollack served as exec producer on the recently premiered HBO Film Recount....

Variety has more on Pollack's life and career...