Baz Luhrmann recalls Lisa Marie Presley's 'kind embrace' on set of Elvis biopic

Baz Luhrmann, director of the Elvis Presley biopic, has said he will miss US singer Lisa Marie Presley's "warmth, smile and love" following her death at the age of 54.

In a statement, the Presley family said they were "shocked and devastated" to announce the only child of Elvis died shortly after being "rushed" to hospital on Thursday.

Presley’s death came two days after she attended the Golden Globe awards, where American actor Austin Butler won best actor for his portrayal of her father in Luhrmann’s film.

On Instagram, Luhrmann captioned a photograph of Butler and Presley laughing: "Over the last year, the entire Elvis movie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace.

"Her sudden, shocking loss has devastated people all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper.

"Lisa Marie, we will miss your warmth, your smile, your love."

Tom Hanks, who starred in the recent Elvis biopic, and his wife Wilson recalled spending time with Presley and her family during the film’s promotional tour last year.

In a joint statement on Wilson’s Instagram, they said: "Our hearts are broken with the sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight.

"Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie.

"She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad. She had her gorgeous daughters Finley and Harper with her who made us all laugh."

Wilson said Presley had been "gracious" enough to show her round Graceland – the mansion where her father lived in Memphis, Tennessee.

"Our hearts and our prayers go out to Riley, Harper, Finley, Danny and Priscilla," she said.

"A mother should never have to lose a child. Lisa Marie lost her precious son Benjamin, Priscilla loses her only daughter. It’s too much. Sending love to the family, prayers for peace and strength. Love, Rita and Tom."

Lisa Marie's only son, Benjamin Keough, himself a musician, died in 2020 at age 27, a death ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County coroner.

She is survived by daughter Riley Keough, 33, an actress, and 14-year-old twin daughters Harper and Finley Lockwood.