Robert Altman dies; iconoclastic director was 81

November 22, 2006 Robert Altman, one of cinema's great democratic spirits whose wry appreciation of the idiosyncrasies of human nature suffused such films as "MASH," "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," "Nashville" and "The Player," has died. Surrounded by his family, the director died Monday night at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications of cancer. Altman was Oscar-nominated as best director five times without winning -- he also earned two best picture noms for "Nashville" and "Gosford Park."

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