‘Love Story’ director Arthur Hiller dies aged 92

The director of 'The Americanization of Emily' and 'Silver Streak' also suffered several box office flops throughout his career

Hiller's big break was a Disney film in 1963 (Getty)

Canadian-born Arthur Hiller, who directed Love Story, The Americanization of Emily and Silver Streak has died aged 92.

Love Story, a seven-time Oscar nominated film, was a big hit from the 1970s.

Hiller also garnered critical acclaim with Neil Simon’s The Out of Towners, black comedy The Hospital and Plaza Suite, a Simon adaptation of his own screen play.

In the 1960s, film fans will remember his The Wheeler Dealers and The Americanization of Emily, starring James Garner and Julie Andrews.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend Arthur Hiller,” said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “I was a member of the Board during his presidency and fortunate enough to witness firsthand his dedication to the Academy and his lifelong passion for visual storytelling.”

After a box office flop called Man of La Mancha in 1972, featuring Peter O’Toole and Sophia Loren, Hiller continued to direct until 2006 but never achieved the same level of success. His last film, called National Lampoon’s Pucked, was also unsuccessful.

In the 1980s he bravely addressed homosexual issues with Making Love, a romantic drama.

Throughout that decade he worked with the likes of Al Pacino, Steve Martin and Bette Midler.

The University of Toronto graduate served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years and received a Masters degree in psychology in 1950. His career started at the CBC in Toronto before he left for the silver screen.

After directing episodes of television shows like Matinee Theatre and Playhouse 90, his big break was directing Disney film Miracle of the White Stallions in 1963.

His wife, Gwen Hiller, died in June at the age of 68. He is survived by his daughter, Erica Hiller Carpenter, his son, Henryk, and five grandchildren.