The news of the sudden passing of Anthony Minghella, the talented writer/director was shocking. His passing, which was confirmed Tuesday by his agent, ends a magnificent career with top notch films like "The English Patient," "Truly Madly Deeply" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" on his resume. Or more appropriately, as his legacy.

The 54-year-old filmmaker, born in England, was a former professor in the years he formulated his craft as a composer and playwright. He even won the most Promising Playwright award from the London theater critics in 1986 and later he would be appointed a CBE or Commander of the British Empire award from the Queen, one of the stepping stones en route to a knighthood.

Five of his actors went on to earn Oscar nominations; Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Renee Zellweger, Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas, with Zellweger and Binoche winning Supporting Actress Oscars. The brother of writers and the father of an actor and actress, he'd completed "The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency," based on the novel, to air on British television. He also had two other films coming. We can only imagine how many more classy, intelligent films he would've made. His passing is a terrible loss.