R.I.P. Mel Stuart

The long-time film and television director ' possibly best known for the 1971 film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder 'suffered from cancer and died at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83. Stuart began his career as an exec with the Wolper Organization where he made documentaries. In 1965 he received an Academy Award nomination for Four Days In November, a look at the assassination of President John Kennedy. A 1973 release, Wattstax ' about the Wattstax music festival ' won a Golden Globe for Best Documentary. He broadened his efforts to romantic comedy in 1969 with If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium. Stuart also became a prolific director of TV movies, including The Triangle Factory Fire and Ruby and Oswald. All told, he made more than 180 films and won four Emmies and a Peabody Award.