John Irvin, Tinker Tailor filmmaker, dies at 86

British filmmaker John Irvin, best known for directing the BBC television adaptation of John Le Carre’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, has died aged 86, his producer Claire Evans told UK media.

Evans confirmed to The Guardian that Irvin died peacefully at home on August 11, surrounded by his family.

Irvin’s five-decade career covered television, documentaries and cinema. His 1979 adaptation of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, won two BAFTAs and received an Emmy nomination.

He later directed films including “The Dogs of War”, “Ghost Story”, “Raw Deal”, “Hamburger Hill” and “Next of Kin”. Evans worked with him on the 2016 film “Mandela’s Gun”.

Irvin was born in northern England in 1940. He is survived by three children and two grandchildren, according to reports.