Kingsley, Spielberg lead tribute to Richard Attenborough

Hollywood celebrities like actor Ben Kingsley and director Steven Spielberg led homage to 'Gandhi' filmmaker Richard Attenborough, who died after prolonged illness.
Attenborough passed away yesterday in a nursing home. He was 90. He is survived by wife Sheila and son Michael, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Kingsley, who starred as Mahatma Gandhi in Attenborough's Oscar-winning 1982 biopic 'Gandhi', said the filmmaker placed trust in him to play the role.
"Richard Attenborough trusted me with the crucial and central task of bringing to life a dream it took him 20 years to bring to fruition.
"When he gave me the part of Gandhi it was with great grace and joy. He placed in me an absolute trust and in turn I placed an absolute trust in him and grew to love him."

Spielberg, who cast Attenborough as a theme park developer in his 1993 hit film 'Jurassic Park' and whose 'E T' was pitted against 'Gandhi' at the Oscars, said the director was a passionate person, who loved his family, friends and career immensely.

"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."
Attenborough also served as the president of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), who expressed grief over his demise.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of esteemed filmmaker and former BAFTA President Lord Attenborough," Bafta wrote on its Twitter page.
Many stars took to Twitter to pay homage to the acclaimed actor-filmmaker.
Actor Roger Moore, best known for playing James Bond in the spy films, said, "Greatly saddened to hear the great Richard Attenborough has left us. Such a wonderful and talented man."
"Sir Richard Attenborough was the only Santa Claus I ever believed in. A wonderful man. Still in shock right now. May he rest in peace," said 'Mrs Doubtfire' actress Mara Wilson.
'The Practice' star Dylan McDermott also remembered Attenborough's role of Santa Clause in 1994 Christmas fantasy film 'Miracle on 34th Street'.

"Rest in peace Richard Attenborough. U were the best Santa ever. Miracleon34thstreet," he said.
'Emma' actor Jonny Lee Miller said Attenborough was a close friend of his grandfather and a genuine person.
"Richard Attenborough was a true friend to my Grandfather and a kind, kind man. RIP legend," he wrote.