Curtis Hanson was a director, producer and writer best known for his Oscar-winning work on the 1997 film L.A. Confidential.

The movie, which starred Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kim Basinger, was adapted from the James Ellroy novel about growing corruption in 1950s Los Angeles.

He also directed and executive produced the telefilm Too Big to Fail, starring James Woods and William Hurt. The 2011 movie, which earned Hanson two Emmy nominations, chronicled the financial meltdown of 2008.

Additionally, Hanson helmed the feature films The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Wonder Boys, 8 Mile, In Her Shoes, Lucky You and Chasing Mavericks.

He also worked on the telefilms The Children of Times Square and Hoke, starring Paul Giamatti, as well as episodes of the series Greg the Bunny and Three Rivers.

Hanson died September 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. He was 71.