Peter Medak, director of 'The Krays', 'The Changeling' and episodes of 'Breaking Bad', dies in Los Angeles aged 88

Peter Medak, the Hungarian-born filmmaker whose career bridged cult British cinema and prestige American television, died peacefully in Los Angeles on Tuesday aged 88, his family confirmed. No cause of death was announced. Malcolm McDowell, one of his oldest friends, paid tribute on Instagram, writing: 'I loved him very much. RIP.'

His 1972 satire 'The Ruling Class', with Peter O'Toole as a nobleman who believes he is Jesus Christ, earned O'Toole an Oscar nomination and competed at Cannes.

'The Changeling' (1980) won eight Genie Awards and so impressed Steven Spielberg that he screened it for the 'Poltergeist' crew as a masterclass in atmosphere.

Medak is survived by four children — Christopher, Joshua, Karen and Cornela — and five grandchildren.