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Curtis Hanson, the Oscar-winning director of L.A. Confidential and many other films, was found dead at his Hollywood Hills home on Tuesday night.

He was 71 years old.

Curtis Hanson
(Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed this sad news, saying paramedics discovered Hanson inside his home around 5 p.m. local time.

It is believed he died of natural causes and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Variety.com, Hanson had retired in recent years due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Along with Brian Helgeland, he won an Academy Awards in 1997 for best writing for their adapted screenplay of the L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy.

Hanson served as a producer on that critically-acclaimed drama, which also garnered him a Best Director nod in 1997, along with a Best Picture nomination for the movie itself.

Kim Basinger won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the film, which was also nominated for its cinematography, art direction, sound, editing and score.

It was a huge hit at the time, starring an amazing cast that included Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito and David Strathairn.

Curtis Hanson Picture
(Getty)

Hanson followed L.A. Confidential with the comedy Wonder Boys.

It was adapted by Steve Kloves from the book by Michael Chabon about an English professor (portrayed by Michael Douglas), who is under pressure to complete his book amid a literary festival in Pittsburgh.

From there, Hanson went behind the camera for Eminem’s big screen debut in 8 Mile.

Despite hesitations from the public about Eminem as an actor and about the concept of film based on his life story, the movie received strong reviews and remains a viewer favorite to this day.

Hanson’s other notable films included The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, The River Wild” and In Her Shoes.

In his honor, this is how those behind the Academy Awards responded once news of his death went public:

The Hollywood Gossip Logo

Hanson served as the first chairman of the UCLA Film and Television Archive starting in 1999 and as a member of the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences from 2001.

He is survived by a son, born in 2004, with companion Rebecca Yeldham.

We send our condolences to his friends, family members and loved ones.

Click through the photo gallery above for a look at other celebrities who have died in 2016.

May they all rest in peace.