After attending the University of Hull (East Yorkshire/Humberside, England), he briefly worked as a university professor where he started writing music and plays. He won the London Theater Critics Award in 1984 for Most Promising Playwright and in 1986 for Best Play with "Made In Bangkok".

Friend of Tony Blair.

Winner of the Giles Cooper Award in 1988 for "Cigarettes and Chocolate".

Born to Edward Minghella, who was Italian-Scottish, and his wife Gloria, whose ancestors came from the village of Valvori near Rome, they owned a ice cream factory.

In 1984, the London Theatre Critics named him Most Promising Playwright of the Year.

He directed 5 actors to Oscar nominations: Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Renée Zellweger, Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas. Binoche and Zellwegger won for their supporting turns in The English Patient (1996) and Cold Mountain (2003), respectively.

Brother of writers Edana Minghella and Dominic Minghella.

As he was a big supporter of soccer club Portsmouth FC, his home had two double bedrooms dedicated to the display of the club's memorabilia.

Father of Max Minghella and Hannah Minghella, who worked as production assistant on the set of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

In 2000, became partners with Sydney Pollack in Mirage Enterprises.

Appointed a CBE in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours List.