Photo: Jeff Vespa © WireImage.com

Born in Ryde, the Isle of Wight, England, to Italian parents who are famous for their ice cream factory. After attending the University of Hull (North Yorkshire/Humberside, England), he briefly worked as a university professor where he started writing music and plays. He won the London Theater Critics Award in 1984 for Most Promising Playwright and in 1986 for Best Play with Made in Bangkok. His feature film writing and directing credits include TRULY MADLY DEEPLY (1991, writer & director), MR. WONDERFUL (1998, director), THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1996, writer & director), THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (1999, writer & director), PLAY (2000, director), IRIS (2001, exec. producer), THE QUIET AMERICAN and HEAVEN (both 2002, both exec. producer), COLD MOUNTAIN (2003, writer, director & producer), BREAKING AND ENTERING (2006, writer, producer & director), THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY (writer, producer & director), THE NINTH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (writer & director) and NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU (writer & director) (all 2008), and MARGARET, LOVE YOU MORE and THE READER (all producer, all also 2008). Minhghella was appointed a C.B.E. (Commander of the British Empire) in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours List. He died at the age of 54 from a hemmorrhage five days after surgery to remove a growth in his neck.  Best Achievement in Directing 1996: THE ENGLISH PATIENT  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) 1996: THE ENGLISH PATIENT  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) 1999: THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY 3 nominations, 1 Award