English actor, director and producer Richard Attenborough, whose powerful movies including “Gandhi” brought awareness of subjects like war, pacifism and apartheid to millions, has died. He was 90.

Attenborough died at lunchtime Sunday, his son told BBC News. He had been in a nursing home with his wife for a number of years, after suffering a serious fall six years ago.

After spending several decades working as a character actor, Attenborough gained worldwide recognition 1982 when he won an Oscar as best director for his passion project, the film “Gandhi,” which he also produced. In all, this detailing of the life of India’s great spiritual leader won eight Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Ben Kingsley.

Five years later, his epic “Cry Freedom” told the story of black leader Steve Biko – played byDenzel Washington — and provided a profound insight into the conditions in South Africa at the height of apartheid.

He also directed “Oh What a Lovely War,” “Young Winston,” “A Bridge Too Far,” “A Chorus Line,” “Chaplain” and “Shadowlands.”

As an actor, he is known for supporting roles in “The Sand Pebbles” and “Dr. Dolittle,” for which he earned back-to-back Golden Globes. He put his acting career on hold while focusing on directing, but returned to play eccentric developer John Hammond in Steven Spielberg 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park.”  The following year he starred as Kris Kringle in 1994’s “Miracle on 34th Street,” a remake of the 1947 classic.

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