Late director Jonathan Demme's best-known films

— -- Jonathan Demme leaves behind a huge and diverse body of work that reflects his eye for uniquely American characters, his love for rock 'n' roll and his indignation over social injustice.

The 73-year-old Oscar-winning director died early this morning of complications from esophageal cancer, ABC News confirmed.

He leaves behind his wife, Joanne Howard, and three children, as well as a screen legacy that includes fiction films, documentaries, video anthologies and more.

"A big hearted, big tent, compassionate man — in full embrace in his life of people in need — and of the potential of art, music, poetry and film to fill that need," Meryl Streep wrote in a statement. "A big loss to the caring world."

In lieu of flowers, Demme's family has asked that donations be made to Americans for Immigrant Justice (www.aijustice.org) in Miami.

Tom Hanks, who won an Academy Award for best actor in Demme's 1993 film, "Philadelphia," wrote, "Jonathan taught us how big a heart a person can have, and how it will guide how we live and what we do for a living."

Hanks added, "He was the grandest of men."

Demme's films were filled with distinctive characters, diversity and lots of music.

He once said that music was his first love and film, his second, and he often brought the two together in such films as "Stop Making Sense," about the Talking Heads, and "Ricki and the Flash," starring Meryl Streep.

Bruce Springsteen, who won an Oscar for the theme song for "Philadelphia," called Demme an "inspiration," "a beautiful filmmaker" and "great spirit."

"Always smiling, always involved with the world and always pushing you to go for your best," the rocker wrote in a statement on his website. "He'll be deeply missed."

One of Demme's last projects, for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, was an interactive multimedia experience incorporating footage from past induction ceremonies; it was scheduled to debut there on July 1.

"Jonathan had a keen ability to meld his passion for music and storytelling in works that showed us the world in a new light," Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris told ABC News Radio in a statement. "It was an honor to have worked with him on one of his last projects."

A lucky break as a film publicist for B-movie producer Roger Corman led Demme to directing a number of small budget films and TV episodes before his 1980 breakthrough film, "Melvin and Howard."

After almost two decades in the industry, Demme hit his stride with perhaps his best-known films, 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs," for which he won a best director Oscar, and "Philadelphia."

Here is a brief roundup of some of Demme's best-known films:

"Melvin and Howard"

Critics loved this 1980 comedy-drama inspired by true events, starring Jason Robards as billionaire recluse Howard Hughes and Paul LeMat as down-on-his-luck gas station owner Melvin Dummar, who picks up Hughes after a motorcycle crash. When Hughes leaves Melvin his fortune, Melvin manages to somehow bungle even that. The film opened the New York Film Festival and earned a pair of Oscars, for Mary Steenburgen's supporting performance and Bo Goldman's script.

"Stop Making Sense"

After "Melvin and Howard," Demme was tapped to direct "Swing Shift," starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Creative differences between Demme and Hawn led him to renounce the film and take a step back from Hollywood. His next film was 1984's Talking Heads concert film, "Stop Making Sense," which he shot over three nights of performances. The film received rave reviews and the best documentary prize from the National Society of Film Critics.

In an essay on his website, Talking Heads frontman David Byrne wrote, "Jonathan’s skill was to see the show almost as a theatrical ensemble piece, in which the characters and their quirks would be introduced to the audience, and you’d get to know the band as people, each with their distinct personalities. They became your friends, in a sense."

Bryne said the film was very much a collaborative effort and they would go on to collaborate on several more films and documentaries.

"Something Wild"

Demme's next film, 1986's "Something Wild" defies categorization — a screwball romantic comedy turned road movie turned dark thriller. It stars Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels and Ray Liotta and may be best remembered for its credit sequence featuring reggae singer Sister Carol.

"Married to the Mob"

A great companion to "Something Wild," 1988's "Married to the Mob" features a similar love triangle, with stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Dean Stockwell and Matthew Modine. Demme coaxes brilliant performances from Pfeiffer, as the shrill Mafia wife Angela; Alec Baldwin, as her husband; mob boss Stockwell, who was nominated for an Oscar; and Mercedes Ruehl as his wife.

"The Silence of the Lambs"

Perhaps Demme's biggest and best-known film, "The Silence of the Lambs" stars Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as imprisoned serial killer Hannibal Lecter, whom she enlists to help her find another serial killer. It grossed $272.7 million worldwide and won Oscars for best picture, best actor, best actress and best adapted screenplay as well as for best director.

"Philadelphia"

Demme showed his progressive advocacy side with his next film, "Philadelphia," the first big-budget movie to cover the AIDS epidemic in America. It stars Hanks as a gay lawyer suing his old firm for wrongful termination and Denzel Washington as the lawyer who represents him.

"Beloved"

In 1998's "Beloved" — based on Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel and starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover and Thandie Newton — Demme takes on the ravages of slavery. The film drew positive reviews but failed at the box office.

"The Truth About Charlie" and "The Manchurian Candidate"

In 2002, Demme teamed up again with Newton for "The Truth About Charlie," a remake of the 1963 classic film "Charade." Newton and Mark Wahlberg star in roles earlier played by Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. The remake featured a diverse cast and an eclectic soundtrack.

The film did not do well with critics or at the box office. But that didn't stop Demme from remaking another classic, "The Manchurian Candidate," starring Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep and Liev Schreiber, two years later. This time, the film was better received by critics and at the box office.

"Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains"

In 2007, Demme departed from Hollywood fare to direct the documentary "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains," about the former president and the promotional tour for his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."

"Rachel Getting Married"

Demme's 2008 film, "Rachel Getting Married," stars Anne Hathaway as Kym, who manages to steal the spotlight while on leave from drug rehab to attend her older sister Rachel's wedding. Demme's documentary-style filmmaking, diverse cast and soundtrack earned the film praise and Hathaway an Oscar nomination.

"Ricki and the Flash"

One of Demme's last narrative films, 2015's "Ricki and the Flash" stars Streep as an aging singer of a bar band and Kevin Kline as her ex-husband, with whom she must make amends to attend their son's wedding. The film, which also stars Rick Springfield, puts Demme's love for rock 'n' roll front and center.