Director Sidney Lumet has died aged 86

Sidney Lumet, director of such classics as 12 Angry Men , Network and Dog Day Afternoon , died yesterday aged 86.

Lumet passed away in his Manhattan home, as a result of lymphoma.

He first garnered serious mainstream attention for directing superlative courtroom drama 12 Angry Men (adapted from a teleplay), which saw a jury gradually question their verdict.

A prolific director, he worked on a great many TV movies and episodes, as well as making several more highly-regarded films.

The most popular of his movies include Serpico , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict . His most recent movie was heist-gone-wrong thriller Before the Devil Knows You're Dead , starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Marisa Tomei.

He primarily worked in New York, and Woody Allen has paid tribute to Lumet, calling him "definitely the quintessential New York film-maker."

Allen added: "I'm constantly amazed at how many films of his prodigious output were wonderful and how many actors and actresses had their best work under his direction.

"Knowing Sidney, he will have more energy dead than most live people."

Martin Scorsese called Lumet a "New York film-maker at heart, and our vision of the city has been enhanced and deepened by classics like Serpico , Dog Day Afternoon and, above all, the remarkable Prince of the City ."

Philip Seymour Hoffman also paid his respects, saying: "He was a true master who loved directing and working with actors like no other."

Lumet's films frequently earned multiple Oscar nominations, and he was given the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005.

Lumet is survived by his wife, two daughters, two stepchildren, nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.