Michael Cimino (/tʃɪˈmiːnoʊ/ chi-MEE-noh; February 3, 1939 – July 2, 2016) was an American movie director, screenwriter, producer and author. He was best known for directing, producing and co-writing the 1978 Academy Award-winning movie The Deer Hunter, and for writing and directing 1980s financial failure Heaven's Gate.
Cimino was found dead of heart failure on July 2, 2016 in his bed Los Angeles, California, aged 77.