Film Director Blake Edwards Dies at Age 88

Santa Monica - Memorial services were pending today for veteran writer-director Blake Edwards, who helmed films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "10" and the "Pink Panther" series.

Edwards, 88, died around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday from complications of pneumonia at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, according to publicist Gene Schwam. He had been hospitalized for almost two weeks, and his wife of 41 years, actress Julie Andrews, was at his side, along with other relatives.

The veteran director received an honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2004.

Edwards' resume also includes "Victor/Victoria," the 1982 movie musical starring Andrews, and "The Days of Wine and Roses," the 1962 drama with Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick as a young couple battling alcoholism.

But Edwards, whose filmography also includes "S.O.B.," "Operation Mad Ball" and "The Party," received only one Oscar nomination in his lengthy career -- for the screenplay adaptation for "Victor/Victoria."

Edwards made his film debut as an actor more than 60 years ago in "Ten Gentlemen From West Point." He wrote his first film, "Panhandle," which he also produced, in 1948.

Edwards has also had success on the small screen, where he made his directing debut in the 1950s on the series "Four Star Playhouse." He created two popular TV shows in the late 1950s, "Peter Gunn" and "Mr. Lucky."

Born in Tulsa, Okla., Edwards moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was 3. He attended Beverly Hills High School.

After penning and producing "Panhandle," he produced several radio series before moving on to write, and then direct, a number of small-budget films. The "Peter Gunn" series -- which paired him with composer Henry Mancini, who later penned the theme to "The Pink Panther" -- earned him Hollywood notice, eventually landing him in the director's chair for films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Operation Petticoat."

He teamed with actor Peter Sellers in 1963 for the original "The Pink Panther," a film peppered with slapstick comedy gags that would become a trademark of Edwards' career. He later directed "The Return of the Pink Panther," "The Pink Panther Strikes Again," "Revenge of the Pink Panther" and "Son of the Pink Panther."

Edwards had been using a wheelchair in recent years -- including during the 2004 Academy Awards ceremony when he received his honorary Oscar -- due to problems with his knees, Schwam said.

Schwam said Edwards asked to be cremated, and it was uncertain if a funeral service would be held. He said a Hollywood memorial service in his honor might be held, but it was too soon to know if such an event would be organized.