Richard Attenborough Dead: "Gandhi" Director Believed Organized Religion Hurt Humanity's Chances of Avoiding Confrontation
Sir Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90; the British actor known for his work on "Gandhi," spoke about his religious beliefs and the impact the real-life Gandhi had on him before his death.
"I can't believe, as Gandhi did, that there's only one religion, one form of practicing your credo. I am at a loss," Attenborough told The Scotsman. "I will go on trying because I would be arrogantly stupid not to, but having to adhere to custom and conviction in terms of practice I find destructive rather than constructive. It seems to me that organized, formal religions have done a fair amount of damage in terms of our chances of living without confrontation."
It's a profound statement from the man who worked so hard to tell the story of Gandhi and became known for his work. However, he was haunted by the death of his daughter Jane and his granddaughter Lucy, who both perished in the 2004 tsunami that struck Thailand. Attenborough never accepted his daughter's death and often spoke of the hope that he would see her again.
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"The thing about the loss is that I find it very difficult to accept. It would not surprise me if Jane came through that door. I don't feel she has gone forever, but in the same breath she is not here and I don't quite know why she is not here. I can't believe we are here for nothing, that there isn't something …" Attenborough explained.
The actor passed away after suffering from gout and diabetes for some time. He and wife Sheila were married 63 years and she entered a nursing home in 2012 after being diagnosed with senile dementia. Attenborough followed her the following year, when it was announced that he needed extra care. The couple had three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Jane.
Tributes have begun pouring in from around the world for the man who had such an impact on cinema.
"He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic 'Gandhi' and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in 'Jurassic Park.' He was a dear friend and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him," Steven Spieldberg said.
