Anthony Harvey, Film Director And Editor, Dies At 87

Nov 28, 2017 1:06 PM

Anthony Harvey, an acclaimed film director and editor, died at his Water Mill home on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 23.

Born on June 3, 1930, in London, he was 87 years old. He took his last name from his stepfather, actor Morris Harvey.

Mr. Harvey’s best-known turn in the director’s chair was “The Lion in Winter,” for which he won a Directors Guild of America award. The 1968 historical drama based on a play by James Goldman starred Peter O’Toole as King Henry II and Katharine Hepburn as Queen Eleanor. The film gleaned seven Academy Award nominations, including a Best Director nod for Mr. Harvey. Ms. Hepburn tied with Barbra Streisand for Best Actress, and Mr. Harvey accepted the Oscar on her behalf in her absence.

He worked with Mr. Goldman again on “They Might Be Giants,” a 1971 film starring George C. Scott as a man in a psychiatric hospital who is convinced he is Sherlock Holmes.

He directed Ms. Hepburn again in “The Glass Menagerie,” a 1973 television adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play. The film was well received, and the Directors Guild of America nominated Mr. Harvey for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television.

Prior to his 1966 directorial debut, “Dutchman,” Mr. Harvey was better known as a film editor. His first feature film as editor was 1956’s “Private’s Progress.” He worked with Stanley Kubrick on “Dr. Strangelove.”

Among his local work was directing readings of the plays “Dorothy Parker Gets The Last Word” and “Julia Wars” at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor.

He leaves behind no family.

Final arrangements are in the care of Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.