Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson pay tribute to legend David Leland | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV | EUROtoday

Screen legends Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson yesterday paid tribute to author, director and actor David Leland following his demise aged 82.

Cambridge-born Leland, whose profession spanned greater than 5 many years, died on Christmas Eve “held tight by his loving family”. He gave Brosnan his “first opportunity to act on stage” in 1977.

The James Bond star, 70, stated: “David holds a mighty place in my heart. He will forever be an essential part of my story.” Leland’s later directorial credit embrace The Big Man in 1990, starring Neeson, Sir Billy Connolly and Hugh Grant.

Neeson, 71, stated: “David was a dream to work with. I loved his mischievous sense of humour.”

Leland wrote two hit movies about British madam Cynthia Payne. The second, Wish You Were Here, was his directorial debut and received a Bafta for greatest screenplay in 1988. He is survived by his spouse and 4 daughters.