'8 MILE' Director and Oscar Winner Curtis Hanson has passed

Curtis Hanson

Curtis Hanson, who won a screenwriting Oscar for "L.A. Confidential" and directed the psychological thriller 

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" and Eminem's tale of Detroit hip-hop "8 Mile," has died.

The screen director died at the age of 71.

Paramedics declared Hanson dead at his Hollywood Hills home late Tuesday afternoon, according to Los Angeles police spokesman Tony Im.