Sidney Lumet, a master of modern American cinema and a tireless innovator renowned for his technical skill and elegant storytelling, passed away on April 9th, 2011 at the age of 86. Born in Philadelphia in 1924 to parents of Jewish descent, Lumet was known for passion for the arts from an early age. He began his career in entertainment as an actor, appearing in Broadway shows and television series. Lumet shifted to directing in 1957 with the courtroom drama "Twelve Angry Men", which demonstrated his technical acumen and ability to evoke powerful performances. As his career progressed, Lumet explored a variety of styles and genres and consistently infused his work with social commentary. His work spanned classic films like "Serpico" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), and "Network" (1976). At the time of his passing, Lumet had directed an estimated 44 feature films, the last being "Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead" (2007). To honor his contributions to filmmaking, Lumet was awarded four Academy Award nominations, the third-highest honor of the Directors Guild of America, the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award, and numerous other accolades. An inspiration to aspiring filmmakers, Lumet will be remembered for his unconditional devotion to artistic expression.