Edmonton-born director Arthur Hiller dies at age 92

LOS ANGELES – Arthur Hiller, the Edmonton-born director who was nominated for an Oscar and served as president of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, has died.

Hiller died Wednesday in Los Angeles of natural causes, the academy said in a statement. He was 92.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend,” said academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

“I was a member of the board during his presidency and fortunate enough to witness firsthand his dedication to the academy and his lifelong passion for visual storytelling. Our condolences go out to his loved ones.”

Hiller directed over two-dozen films as well as many TV series throughout his career. His Oscar nomination came in 1971 for his direction on “Love Story.”

His other credits include “The Americanization of Emily,” “The In-Laws,” “Silver Streak” and “The Man in the Glass Booth.”

From 1993 to 1997, he served as president of the academy, which gave him its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2001.

He also served as president of the Directors Guild of America from 1989 to 1993.

Growing up in Edmonton, Hiller attended Victoria High School, where he was classmates with Leslie Nielsen.

In 2007, he was appointed to the Order of Canada.

The academy says Hiller is survived by his daughter, Erica Hiller Carpenter, his son, Henryk, and five grandchildren. Gwen Hiller, his wife of 68 years, passed away in June.