George Armitage, the creative force behind cult classics like Grosse Pointe Blank and Miami Blues, has passed away at the age of 82.
His niece confirmed to TMZ that Armitage died peacefully last Saturday, surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
A Life in Film
Known for his unique ability to merge crime and comedy, Armitage left a lasting impression on Hollywood with his distinctive filmmaking style.
His 1997 hit Grosse Pointe Blank, featuring John Cusack as a hitman attending his high school reunion, became an instant cult classic.
Prior to that, in 1990, he directed Miami Blues, a dark comedy starring Alec Baldwin in one of his early, memorable roles.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Armitage was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to Beverly Hills during his childhood.
It was in Beverly Hills that he lived through a quintessential teenage experience, indulging in activities like surfing, street racing, and cruising while listening to music.
In a 1997 interview with Film Comment, he fondly remembered those years: “It was a great time, an amazing time to be a teenager.” At just 15, he met Sharon, the woman who would become his wife.
They were married for an incredible 62 years.
His filmmaking career began in 1970 with Gas-s-s-s, a counterculture satire that caught the attention of famed producer Roger Corman.
The partnership with Corman proved to be a pivotal moment, helping Armitage develop his bold, unconventional approach to storytelling.
Armitage’s career quickly grew from there, starting with his directorial debut in 1971 with Private Duty Nurses, a film he also wrote.
Expanding His Craft
Armitage was known for exploring a variety of genres, and he had no trouble moving from one style to the next.
In the early 1970s, he dived into the world of blaxploitation with Hit Man (1972), starring Pam Grier and Bernie Casey.
He continued to build a diverse body of work, tackling everything from action thrillers like Vigilante Force (1976) to TV movies like the cult favorite Hot Rod (1979), and eventually adapting The Big Bounce in 2004.
A Shift in Roles: Directing Without Writing
In his most famous film, Grosse Pointe Blank, Armitage took on the role of director without also writing the script.
In an interview, he revealed his reasoning for this: “I probably could have [written it], but I didn’t want to because I was afraid… I didn’t want to mess up the credits for everyone else.”
Despite not taking a writing credit, Armitage played a huge role in shaping the film’s script.
He recalled meeting with Cusack and the writers and finding that the original script was far too long.
Armitage insisted on trimming it down to under 100 pages, leading to extensive rewrites before production.
During filming, improvisation also played a key role, with some of the improvised scenes even bringing back moments Armitage had initially cut.
“We had a good time with it,” he said, reflecting on the experience.
A Legacy of Genre-Bending Filmmaking
Armitage’s career was a testament to his versatility and willingness to push boundaries within the film industry.
From early collaborations with Roger Corman to his later work as a director and writer, Armitage always managed to carve out his own unique place in Hollywood.
His passing marks the end of an era for those who appreciated his distinct brand of filmmaking, blending humor, crime, and unforgettable characters in ways few other directors could manage.
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