Director Jonathan Demme has passed away at the age of 73.

The Oscar-wnning filmmaker, best known for his movies Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia, was also behind the widely-lauded 1984 Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.

Demme died the morning of April 26 from complications due to heart disease and esophageal cancer, his family confirmed. Back in 2010 Demme underwent treatment for cancer but his illness returned in 2015 and his condition is said to have declined over the last few weeks.

Tributes from across the world have been pouring in through social media. Barry Jenkins wrote on Twitter: “Met tons through the Moonlight run but my man Demme was the kindest, most generous. A MASSIVE soul. He lived in love. And rests in peace.”

Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Jonathan Demme. Admired his movies, his documentaries, his concert films. He could do anything…”

Demme is survived by his wife, Joanne Howard, and three children, Ramona, Brooklyn and Jos.