Michael Cimino (February 3, 1939 – July 2, 2016) was an American film director, writer and author. A third generation Italian-American, he began in commercials before becoming a screenwriter, mostly famously penning The Deer Hunter featuring John Cazale and John Savage. He then proceeded to directed Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Heaven's Gate (which flopped) and The Sicilian, often working with his partner Joann Carelli.