Hugh Hudson, 'Chariots of Fire' director, dead at 86

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Hugh Hudson, who directed "Chariots of Fire," has died, Fox News Digital confirmed. He was 86 years old.

Hudson’s family issued a brief statement announcing he died Friday at a hospital in London "after a short illness."

According to his family’s statement, Hudson is survived by wife Maryam, son Thomas and his first wife, Sue.

Hudson had a remarkable career in film that included being nominated for the best director Oscar in 1982 for his work on "Chariots of Fire," which is widely considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time.

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Hugh Hudson, director of "Chariots of Fire," died at 86. (Anadolu Agency)

The film was nominated for six additional awards, and it won four — best costume design, best screenplay, best original score and the coveted best picture Oscar, a testament to Hudson's powerful work.

"Chariots of Fire" was so successful and beloved by so many that a stage play was produced by Hudson ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This version eventually made its way to the West End, which is no small feat.

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Hugh Hudson is survived by his wife Maryam d'Abo (pictured above), his son, Thomas, and his first wife, Sue. (Suzan Moore/PA Images via Getty Images)

Bringing his film to the stage was Hudson's idea, according to the Evening Standard. "Issues of faith, of refusal to compromise, standing up for one's beliefs, achieving something for the sake of it, with passion, and not just for fame or financial gain, are even more vital today," he said at the time.

Hudson started his career as a documentary editor and producer. The London native also worked in television advertising before finding work in feature films in the late 1970s as a second-unit director on Alan Parker’s "Midnight Express."

Hugh Hudson was nominated in the best director category at the 1982 Oscars for his work on "Chariots of Fire." (Sylvain Lefevre)

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He was also known for directing "Greystoke – The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes," a film that was nominated for three Academy Awards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report