Bigas Luna Dies At 67: Director Of ‘Jamón Jamón’ Dead After Battle With Cancer

Spanish director Bigas Luna dies at age 67 after a long battle with cancer. The acclaimed director is best known for his 1992 film "Jamón Jamón."

Luna's family said he died after a long battle with cancer on Saturday at his home in Tarragona, northeast Spain.

Luna is considered one of Spain's most influential directors. He also had a knack for discovering talent. Luna discovered both Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz. The film-maker may also be considered a fantastic match maker because after meeting on the set of "Jamón Jamón" Bardem and Cruz have been married for 18 years.

"I don't know where to begin," Bardem said, adding that he owed the director "the woman I love" and "a career that I never dreamed I could have."

Bardem's wife Cruz shares the loving sentiment about Luna.

"When I was with him, I felt time stood still. He was truly special."

Luna is loved remembered by Spanish director and writer Guillermo Arriaga, who wrote the film, Babel. Arriaga paid tribute to Luna on Twitter.

"Keep on filming wherever you are, Bigas Luna."

The director died while working on his latest film Second Origin, which is an adaptation of Manuel de Pedrolo's sci-fi novel, "El manuscript del segon origen"

Luna is survived by his wife, Celia, and three daughters.