David Leland, the director of 1987’s Wish You Were Here, has passed away at age 82.
Per Deadline, Leland passed away on December 24, 2023, while surrounded by his family, according to his long-time agency, Cassaroto Ramsay & Associates. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, a son, and six grandchildren.
Born in 1941, Leland trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. After appearing in a handful of films and television series such as 1973’s Gawain and the Green Knight and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Leland wrote the screenplay for 1982’s Made in Britain, a television film directed by Alan Clarke that marked Tim Roth’s first credited work as an actor.
“David was there at the very beginning of this crazy adventure. He changed my life, and I love him for it. I’ll keep him with me always,” Roth said.
Leland went on to write and star in several more projects before he made his feature-film directorial debut in 1987 with Wish You Were Here. Starring Emily Lloyd and Tom Bell, Wish You Were Here won the International Federation of Film Critics prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987, along with several other accolades.
Following that, Leland directed Checking Out with Jeff Daniels in 1989 and The Big Man with Liam Neeson in 1990. “David was a dream to work with,” Neeson said. “He was a real collaborator; he genuinely loved and admired actors. We formed a close bond. I loved his mischievous sense of humour. You are always in my heart old friend. See you down the road.”
Leland’s other feature film directing credits include 1998’s The Land Girls, 2003’s Concert for George, and 2007’s Virgin Territory. Additionally, Leland was a co-showrunner, executive producer, writer, and director on Showtime’s The Borgias, which starred Jeremy Irons.
ComingSoon sends condolences to Leland’s friends and family during this time.
