John Irvin, legendary British director of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 86

| Live News reporter Published August 19, 2026 7:50am Updated August 19, 2026 8:30am John Irvin is said to have ‘died peacefully at home’ last week (Picture: Getty Images) British filmmaker John Irvin, who is best known for directing the acclaimed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died at the age of 86. The three-time Bafta nominee died ‘peacefully at home’ on August 11, according to reports. Born in London, Irvin enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades, working across documentaries, television and Hollywood films. After studying at the London Film School, he became involved with the Free Cinema Movement before moving into documentary filmmaking. His breakthrough came with Inheritance, a 1963 documentary short about the Algerian War of Independence, before he went on to earn a Bafta nomination for best short film in 1967 for Mafia No! In 1969, he then travelled to Vietnam to film footage of the war for US newsreel company Movietone. Irvin enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades making films, documentaries and TV shows (Picture: Claudio Peri/EPA/Shutterstock) In the 1970s, he moved into television, directing a number of productions including an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Hard Times in 1977. However, it was his work on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy that cemented his name. The BBC’s adaptation of John le Carré’s Cold War spy thriller starred Sir Alec Guinness as George Smiley and earned nominations at both the BAFTAs and Emmys. John Irvin, a filmmaking gentleman with an eclectic career By Deputy Head of Audience Optimisation Andrew Gaudion I had the pleasure of intereviewing Mr Irvin for the publication FIlmhounds to mark the 4K re-release of his Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie Raw Deal back in 2022. With the film having been made nearly 40 years ago, and not really knowing what he thought about the movie, I was a little nervous about how the chat might go. But those anxieties were quickly washed away when met with the warm spirit of the late Mr Irvin, who was 82 at the time. He spoke with fondness about working with a big star like Schwarzenegger, and had no pretentions about what sort of movie he had made in Raw Deal. He colourfully described it as such: ‘If they want a hamburger, I’ll give them a deluxe hamburger.’ He was so clearly proud of his career and the number of different avenues, from documentary making to BBC dramas and Hollywood action movies; he did it all. I was also very glad I got the chance to praise him for another of his movies, the underrated Hamburger Hill, which he seemed touched by, describing the film as one he is very proud of. He quotes David Lean to me when discussing his career path: ‘never come out of the same hole twice.’ His filmography more than demonstrates that he lived up to that ethos, and if the man himself was anything to go by, he always did it with a touch of class. Irvin subsequently moved into feature films, building a varied Hollywood career. His credits included The Dogs of War (1980), starring Christopher Walken, Ghost Story (1981), featuring Fred Astaire, and Champions (1984), starring John Hurt. He also directed Hamburger Hill, the 1987 Vietnam War film starring Anthony Barrile, Dylan McDermott and Don Cheadle. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Among his other credits were the action film Raw Deal, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Robin Hood, released in 1991 and starring Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman. Arrow MORE: John Cleese asks who Roman Kemp and Lauren Laverne are in toe-curling live TV moment Arrow MORE: ZZ Top cancels shows until weekend after drummer Frank Beard dies aged 77 Arrow MORE: Hayden Panettiere’s body was ‘found by boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother’