Released in 1991, The Silence of the Lambs is unquestionably one of the most important horror films ever made. The critically acclaimed film famously swept the ’92 Academy Awards, nabbing the Oscars for Best Picture (the only horror film to date to ever receive that honor from the Academy), Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Director Jonathan Demme, for his masterful work on the film, also took home a well-earned Best Director statue.

We’re incredibly sad to report today that Jonathan Demme has passed away at the age of 73, after an extended battle with esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease.

Demme’s incredible career as a director began in the 1970s with films such as Caged Heat, Crazy Mama, Fighting Mad and Handle With Care. Of course, he achieved the pinnacle of his success in the early 1990s with both The Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia, released just two years apart – the latter film nabbed two gold statues in the wake of the former’s Oscars takeover.

Other notable films on Demme’s resume as a director include The Truth About Charlie, The Manchurian Candidate, Rachel Getting Married and most recently, Ricki and the Flash. He also worked with musicians like the Talking Heads, UB40, Chrissie Hynde, New Order, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Justin Timberlake on various videos, docs and concert films.

Demme is survived by his wife Joanne Howard and their three children.

We remember the great Jonathan Demme with a series of behind the scenes shots from the set of The Silence of the Lambs, which will hopefully make you smile just a little bit today.