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Michael Apted, director of 'Up' documentary series, dies

Michael Apted
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Acclaimed British director Michael Apted has died. He was 79.

A representative for the Directors Guild of America said his family informed the organization that he died Thursday night.

No cause was given.

Apted's most important works are the nine "Up" documentary films, which followed the lives of 14 economically diverse British children from age 7 to 63.

An incredibly prolific director, his other works include films as diverse as the Loretta Lynn biopic "Coal Miner's Daughter" and the James Bond flick "The World is Not Enough."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday tweeted, “He will be missed.”

"Director Michael Apted will always be remembered for the groundbreaking documentary "Up" series," The Academy said in a tweet. "A past president of the Directors Guild and Academy Governor, he also made many acclaimed feature films, from "Coal Miner's Daughter" to "The World Is Not Enough." He will be missed."