India, Aug. 19 -- British filmmaker John Irvin, best known for directing the acclaimed BBC miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died at the age of 86. Irvin, whose career stretched across television, documentaries and Hollywood action films, died "peacefully" on August 11, surrounded by his family.

His producer Claire Evans confirmed his death to The Guardian.

What Was John Irvin Best Known For?

Irvin's most celebrated work was the BBC adaptation of John le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The miniseries starred Alec Guinness as George Smiley, the quiet but highly skilled British intelligence officer at the centre of the story.

The series became one of the defining television works of Irvin's career. It received six BAFTA nomin...