Blake Edwards, Stage and Screen Director and Husband to Julie Andrews, Dies at 88

Director/screenwriter Blake Edwards, who helmed iconic comedy films ranging from Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Pink Panther series to 10 and Victor/Victoria, passed away of complications from pneumonia on December 15 in Santa Monica, California. He was 88. His wife of 41 years, actress Julie Andrews, and other family members were with Edwards when he died.

Edwards made one foray into Broadway, producing and directing a 1995 stage adaptation of Victor/Victoria starring Andrews, who famously declined a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress when the production failed to receieve any other nominations.

Born William Blake Crump in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 26, 1922, Edwards began his show business career as an actor, moving on to writing and directing TV shows such as Peter Gunn (for which he received two Emmy nominations) in the late 1950s. That series introduced him to composer Henry Mancini, with whom he would work on almost every feature film. Although he was best known for comedies, Edwards also won praise for his direction of Days of Wine and Roses, a drama about alcoholism.

Edwards' film credits include Operation Petticoat, The Pink Panther and several sequels, The Party, The Great Race, S.O.B. and High Time. He directed Andrews in several TV specials including Julie and Dick at Covent Garden and her short lived sitcom, Julie. Edwards received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay of Victor/Victoria as well as an honorary Oscar in 2004.

Edwards is survived by Andrews and their two daughters, Amy and Joanna, and two children from his first marriage, Jennifer and son Geoffrey.