RIP Richard Attenborough: His 5 Essential Films

Legendary British actor and director Richard Attenborough died yesterday. He was 90 years old.

Contemporary audiences are likely most familiar with Attenborough for his role as Dr. John Hammond in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. But, Attenborough's storied career reaches all the way back to 1942, when he made his film debut in the war film Which We Serve. From there, he would build a diverse filmography as both an actor and a director.

Attenborough starred in over 70 films, including Doctor Doolittle and The Sand Pebbles, both of which earned him Golden Globe Awards for best supporting actor.

In the later stage of his career, Attenborough reinvented himself as a director and became known for his award-friendly biopics. He tackled the stories of Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill in Chaplin and Young Winston respectively. It was Attenborough's 1982 Mohandas Gandhi biopic, however, that transformed him into an elite director. Gandhi, which starred Ben Kingsley in the title role, went on to win a whopping eight Academy Awards, including one for best picture and best director.

After receiving a knighthood in 1976, Attenborough was made a baron in 1993 thanks not only to his legendary film career, but his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador as well. To commemorate the screen legend, we've assembled a list of his five most essential works, both behind and in front of the camera.