He had long run of movie magic

JONATHAN DEMME had an outstanding career, with an incredible run from 1980’s “Melvin and Howard” to 1993’s groundbreaking, Oscar-winning “Philadelphia.” Whether he was making a comedy, its drama or thriller, he was a director who showed humanity in all of warts-and-all, absurd and even man-eating glory. Here are five Demme’s best:

1 “Melvin and Howard” (1980) This incisive and sometimes loopy comedy concerned brokendown Melvin Dummar, who claimed to be the heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes. The film won Mary Steenburgen the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

2 “Something Wild” (1986) An adventure comedy with a dark streak delivered on its title — and showcased Melanie Griffith in a major way.

3 “Married to the Mob” (1988) The usually serious Michelle Pfeiffer revealed her comedic side playing a gangster’s widow in a tale of big hair, big fun and big whatevers. Alec Baldwin played Frank (the Cucumber) de Marco.

4 “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) Killer cannibal meets FBI rookie in this classic thriller that won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Adapted Screenplay. Accepting hers, Jodie Foster called Demme “my guru, not just for his talent, but for his goodness.”

5 “Philadelphia” (1993) Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning star turn as an attorney dying of AIDS (above, with Denzel Washington) was among Hollywood’s first depictions of the disease. Joe Dziemianowicz