Midnight Cowboy director removed from life support

Ailing British-born filmmaker John Schlesinger, the Oscar-winning director of Midnight Cowboy, was taken off life support at a hospital in Palm Springs, California, last night, his spokeswoman said.

The 77-year-old filmmaker suffered a stroke in December 2000. Spokeswoman Ronni Chasen said that his condition at the Desert Regional Medical Centre had deteriorated significantly in recent weeks.