Legendary director Robert Altman, who received a lifetime achievement Oscar in March, passed away Monday night due to undisclosed causes. New York Times Obituary
A five-time-Academy Award nominee, Altman is known for his satire and idosyncratic directing style seen in such films as M*A*S*H, Nashville, Gosford Park, The Player, Short Cuts, McCabe and Mrs Miller and most recently, 2006’s A Prairie Home Companion.
Altman is survived by his wife, Kathryn and his five children.
Although I have not seen all of Altman’s films (just M*A*S*H and A Prairie Home Companion), this news comes as a shock. A Prairie Home Companion shows that after 50 years in the entertainment industry, Altman was still at his top directorial form.
Altman was a great filmmaker who deserves something more than recognition, praise, or an Academy Award.
Altman said this upon accepting his lifetime achievement award:
“No other filmmaker has gotten a better shake than I have. I’m very fortunate in my career. I’ve never had to direct a film I didn’t choose or develop. My love for filmmaking has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition.”
He will be missed.
@Cinefille 
I’m so sad to see him go. The film world has lost one of its greatest artists. I didn’t find out about his death until tonight when my dad told me. I’ve just been too busy to keep up with Hollywood news. I need to go watch one of his movies now. I’ll be a bit depressed for a while.
I knew this would depress you. Just watch a bunch of his movies. That’s the best way to deal with it.