Peter Medak, the British-Hungarian film and television director known for works including "The Changeling," "The Krays," and "Let Him Have It," has died at the age of 88. His family announced that he passed away peacefully in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Born in Hungary in 1937, Medak survived a turbulent childhood marked by World War II and the Hungarian uprising. Forced into hiding with his Jewish family during the war, he later fled Hungary, eventually settling in London. There, his aunt Lotte Medak, an internationally recognized opera singer, helped him gain entry into the film industry. Medak began his career as a trainee at Associated British-Pathé before advancing through various studio roles, including editing alongside future director Hugh Hudson.

Medak’s directorial debut came in 1968 with the erotic thriller "Negatives," starring Peter McEnery and Glenda Jackson. He soon gained recognition with adaptations of plays, directing "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" and "The Ruling Class" in 1972. The latter featured Peter O’Toole, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. Despite this early success, Medak faced challenges, most notably with "Ghost in the Noonday Sun" (1974), a troubled Peter Sellers project that went significantly over budget due to the actor’s erratic behavior. Medak later documented the experience in a film presented at the Venice Film Festival in 2018, describing it as the “biggest disaster” of his career.

Medak reestablished his reputation with "The Changeling" (1980), a horror film starring George C. Scott about a man haunted by a supernatural presence. The film has since been recognized as a classic of the genre, with notable directors such as Martin Scorsese citing it as a favorite.

In the early 1990s, Medak directed two notable British crime dramas. "The Krays" (1990) portrayed the notorious twin gangsters played by Gary and Martin Kemp, while "Let Him Have It" (1991) revisited the controversial case of Derek Bentley, a young man controversially executed in 1953. Medak returned to Hollywood with 1993’s "Romeo Is Bleeding," a thriller starring Gary Oldman.

Medak also maintained a substantial television career. He directed several episodes of critically acclaimed series including "Homicide: Life on the Street" in the mid-1990s and one episode of "The Wire" in 2002. His later television work spanned prominent dramas such as "House," "Breaking Bad," and "Hannibal."

Writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who collaborated with Medak on "Let Him Have It," praised him for his respectful and supportive directing style. They reflected on their working relationship warmly, noting his enthusiasm for future projects even late in his career.

Medak was married three times: to Katherine La Kermance (1963–1972), Carolyn Seymour (1973–1984), and Julia Migenes (1988–2003). His diverse body of work and contributions to both film and television remain influential.