Tributes Pour In for Lee Tamahori: James Bond Pioneer Passes Away at 75 After Parkinson’s Battle

Lee Tamahori, the celebrated New Zealand filmmaker best known for directing the James Bond blockbuster “Die Another Day” and the powerful Māori drama “Once Were Warriors,” has died at 75. As per The Hollywood Reporter, his family confirmed Friday that the director passed away peacefully at home following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

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“His legacy endures with his whānau, his mokopuna, every filmmaker he inspired, every boundary he broke and every story he told with his genius eye and honest heart,” his family said in a statement to RNZ.

Tamahori’s debut feature, “Once Were Warriors,” released in 1994, made him an international force in cinema.

The film premiered at Cannes and earned global praise for its raw, unflinching portrayal of domestic violence and Māori identit. These stories would shape his career and influence generations of filmmakers.

From Wellington to Hollywood Success

Born in Wellington in 1950, Tamahori began his career as a commercial artist and photographer before moving into film production.

He worked his way up through the New Zealand industry, directing commercials and television under his company, Flying Fish, before releasing his first short film, “Thunderbox,” in 1989.

The success of “Once Were Warriors” soon opened doors in Hollywood.

Tamahori directed a string of major studio films, including “The Edge” (1997) starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin, “Mulholland Falls” (1996), “Along Came a Spider” (2001), “xXx: State of the Union” (2005), and the Nicolas Cage sci-fi thriller “Next” (2007).

He reached the height of global fame in 2002 with “Die Another Day,” the 20th James Bond film, starring Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry.

A Lifelong Passion for Storytelling

In a 2022 interview at Paramount Studios, Tamahori reflected on his lifelong love of cinema, recalling how he used to skip school to watch movies. “That’s what I did in my youth,” he said. “Sneaked into every movie I wasn’t allowed to see, and that’s how I became a filmmaker.”

Beyond Hollywood, Tamahori’s work remained rooted in his Māori heritage. He returned to New Zealand to direct “The Patriarch” (2016) and “The Convert” (2023), a historical drama starring Guy Pearce that explored the conflicts between British settlers and Māori tribes.

Tamahori’s family described him as “a charismatic leader and fierce creative spirit” who championed Māori talent on and off screen. His influence extended across generations of filmmakers, both in New Zealand and abroad.

He is survived by his wife, Justine, and children Sam, Max, Meka, and Tané.

As tributes pour in from fans and industry peers, Tamahori is being remembered as a bold storyteller who bridged cultures, challenged expectations, and left an indelible mark on world cinema.

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