His name was synonymous with British cinema, enjoying an illustrious 60 year career in film, but now the entertainment world is mourning the loss of Richard Attenborough, who passed away just five days before his 91st birthday.

He had been living in a nursing home near West London since March, residing with his wife, Shelia Sims, 92, who had been in the same facility since June 2012, suffering from dementia.

Upon hearing the news of his death, Prime Minister David Cameron called him “one of the greats of cinema”.

Attenborough was born in Cambridge and was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough, the renown broadcaster and naturalist.

He starred in more than 74 films, including the films The Flight of the Phoenix and The Great Escape, as well as 10 Rillington Place, and Elizabeth. He also played Kris Kringle in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street.

But he’s likely best known to audiences worldwide as John Hammond owner and founder of Jurassic Park in the first two films of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster franchise.

He had an impressive, but short, directing resume, helming only 12 films, including A Bridge Too Far, Magic, Chaplin, the biopic of the great comic actor which earned Robert Downey Jr. an Oscar nomination, and Cry Freedom, starring Denzel Washington as anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.

But his greatest achievement is undoubtedly the 1982 film Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Picture. It also won Attenborough a Golden Globe for Best Director.

His work extended beyond films, serving as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, in addition to chairman of the British Film Institute, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the British broadcast station Channel 4, and he was a director of the Young Vic and the BFI. He was also instrumental in restoring London’s Duke of York theater.

Perhaps even more prestigious an award was bestowed upon Attenborough in 1993, when he was awarded a life peerage by Queen Elizabeth II for his stage work and tireless efforts to promote British cinema both on-screen and behind the scenes.

Many of his peers offered their condolences at the loss of a great friend and great talent, among them, Steven Spielberg who cast him in his most recognizable role. “Dickie Attenborough was passionate about everything in his life – family, friends, country and career. He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Gandhi and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in Jurassic Park. He was a dear friend and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him.”