Richard Donner | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Donner in 1979 | |
| Born | Richard Donald Schwartzberg (1930-04-24)April 24, 1930 New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 5, 2021(2021-07-05) (aged 91) |
| Other names |
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| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1957–2021 |
| Notable work | |
| Spouse | |
Richard Donner (bornRichard Donald Schwartzberg; April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021) was an American filmmaker. Described as "one of Hollywood's most reliable makers of action blockbusters",[1][2] Donner directed some of the most financially successful films of the 1970s and 1980s.[3] His 50-year career crossed genres and influenced trends among filmmakers across the world.[3]
Donner began his career in 1957 as a television director. In the 1960s, he directed episodes of the seriesThe Rifleman,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,The Fugitive,The Twilight Zone,The Banana Splits, and many others. Donner made his film debut with the low-budget aviation dramaX-15 in 1961, but had his critical and commercial breakthrough with the horror filmThe Omen in 1976. He directed the landmark superhero filmSuperman in 1978,[4][5] which provided an inspiration for the fantasy film genre to eventually gain artistic respectability and commercial dominance. Donner later went on to direct films in the 1980s such asThe Goonies andScrooged, while reinvigorating the buddy cop film genre with theLethal Weapon series.
Donner and his wife,Lauren, owned a production company,The Donners' Company, which is most successful for producing theFree Willy andX-Men film franchises. Donner also producedTales from the Crypt and co-wrote several comic books forSuperman publisherDC Comics. In 2000, Donner received the President's Award from theAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.
Richard Donald Schwartzberg was born inthe Bronx, New York City, toRussian Jewish parents,[6] Hattie (Horowitz) and Fred Schwartzberg.[7][8][9] His father owned a small furniture-manufacturing business and his mother was ahousewife.[7] He had a sister, Joan.[7] His grandfather owned a Brooklyn movie theatre which had an early influence on his perception of film.
After graduating from high school, Donner served in theU.S. Navy, becoming an aerial photographer. He briefly attendedNew York University but left to pursue a career in acting, relocating to Los Angeles and adopting the stage name "Richard Donner".[10]
Initially, Donner wanted to develop a career as an actor. He gained a big part in a television program directed byMartin Ritt, who encouraged Donner to become a director instead. Ritt hired Donner as his assistant. Later, Donner was on the staff ofDesilu, where he directed commercials. He made the transition into television dramas in the late 1950s, directing some episodes of theSteve McQueen western serialWanted Dead or Alive and theChuck Connors westernThe Rifleman.
During his early career as a director he worked on over twenty-five television series, includingHave Gun – Will Travel,The Fugitive,Combat!,Get Smart,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,The Wild Wild West,Gilligan's Island,[11]Kojak andThe Twilight Zone (such as the episodes "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" starringWilliam Shatner, "The Jeopardy Room" starringMartin Landau and "From Agnes—With Love" starringWally Cox), as well as the serialDanger Island from the children's programThe Banana Splits.
In the 1990s, Donner served as executive producer of theHBO anthology horror seriesTales from the Crypt, based on theEC Comics series of the same name. He directed three episodes during its run ("Dig That Cat... He's Real Gone", "The Ventriloquist's Dummy", "Showdown"), and also produced three feature film spinoffs;Demon Knight,Bordello of Blood andRitual.
Donner's first feature film wasX-15 (1961), which starredDavid McLean,Charles Bronson andMary Tyler Moore.[12] Seven years passed before he directed his next,Salt and Pepper (1968), withSammy Davis Jr. andPeter Lawford.[11] His breakthrough film wasThe Omen (1976). A supernatural horror made in the wake of the success ofThe Exorcist, the film starsGregory Peck,David Warner andLee Remick. It was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 1976.
In 1978, Donner directedSuperman: The Movie, starringChristopher Reeve in the title role. Donner approached the film with the concept of creatingverisimilitude, an intuitive feeling evoked in the audience that makes the fantasy story feel real within the story's context.[13] It was a hit worldwide, projecting Reeve to international fame.[14] The film co-starredMargot Kidder asLois Lane,Marlon Brando asJor-El andGene Hackman as archvillainLex Luthor. At the box office, it grossed $134 million domestically.[2]
Principal photography ofSuperman included filming of its first sequel,Superman II. Donner filmed most ofSuperman II with the expectation he would complete the sequel after the release ofSuperman. Despite the first film's success, Donner was fired fromSuperman II. Throughout the filming of bothSuperman films, Donner had a difficult relationship with executive producersAlexander Salkind andIlya Salkind and producerPierre Spengler. The Salkinds refused Donner's demand that Spengler be fired; instead, the Salkinds replaced Donner as director ofSuperman II withRichard Lester, who had worked with the Salkinds onThe Three Musketeers andThe Four Musketeers and as an uncredited producer onSuperman. Following Donner's dismissal, Marlon Brando's scenes were removed fromSuperman II and much of the film was re-shot under Lester's direction. Gene Hackman refused to return for re-shoots; consequently, all the Lex Luthor scenes that appear inSuperman II were filmed by Donner, although Donner refused to be credited.
Rotten Tomatoes' summary states that "Superman II meets, if not exceeds, the standard set by its predecessor."[15] Donner continued to promote the view that his contribution was superior to the rest of the series.Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut was released on November 28, 2006, the same date as the DVD release of the summer filmSuperman Returns.[16] This version of the film features the re-insertion of Marlon Brando's scenes asJor-El and relies on a minimum of footage shot by Richard Lester.
Donner directed mixed commercial flops (Inside Moves,Radio Flyer) and successes (The Goonies, theLethal Weapon series,Scrooged, andConspiracy Theory).
Donner's next blockbuster film was the action comedyLethal Weapon, written byShane Black. It starredMel Gibson as a widowednarcotics detective with a suicidal bent "who breaks every rule for the sheer joy of it". It co-starredDanny Glover as a calmhomicide detective with a loving family and consideration for retirement. The film's action sequences were considered "truly spectacular" and made the film one of the year's biggest hits.[2]
Donner directed six films starring Mel Gibson in total, creating aLethal Weapon franchise with three sequels; the last of these wasLethal Weapon 4, released in 1998. In an interview in 2000, Gibson described his impressions of Donner:
Uncle Dick. He's a great guy, just terrific. Extremely professional. He's an old veteran and has an understanding of film that is the culmination of years of experience. He's got his technical stuff down, his vision down. No matter what you say about Dick, it underrates him. He really loves what he's doing, loves working with actors, and he allows you freedom to explore all kinds of areas. "All right, kid," he'll say, and slap you on the back and let you try something, because even he doesn't know sometimes. He's just an extremely charming, talented, great fuckin' guy. I love him.[17]
Donner became the executive producer for the 2000Marvel Comics filmX-Men, then also an executive producer for the 2009X-Men prequel,X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In addition, Donner's wife has produced all of the films in theX-Men film series under theirDonners' Company brand.
On October 16, 2008, Donner and Lauren Shuler Donner received stars in a double ceremony on theHollywood Walk of Fame for their achievements in motion pictures, located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard.[18][19][20]
Donner was the first choice to direct the "unofficial"James Bond filmNever Say Never Again, but turned it down after he decided he dislikedLorenzo Semple Jr.'s script.[21] He would have served as director ofJurassic Park hadColumbia/TriStar won the bidding war for the screen rights against other studios.[22] Donner was also considered as director forThe Lost Boys,The Last Boy Scout,Memoirs of an Invisible Man,Dave,Forever Young, andThe Sandlot.[23] In 2001, Donner claimed he planned to direct a sequel toThe Goonies afterTimeline, and he planned to direct thefifth and finalLethal Weapon film before his death in 2021.[24][25]
One of Donner's assistants in the late 1990s was comic book writerGeoff Johns.[26][27] In October 2006, Donner, Johns, and artistAdam Kubert became the new creative team onAction Comics, the publisher's most time honored publication and one ofDC Comics' two mainSuperman titles. Together, Johns and Donner collaborated on the storiesLast Son andEscape from Bizarro World, both of which have been released in collected book form. Donner and Johns also co-wrote a story forAction Comics #1000, released in April 2018.
In 2010, Donner's authorized biography titledYou're the Director... You Figure It Out: The Life and Films of Richard Donner by James Christie was published by BearManor Media. The book features a foreword by Mel Gibson.[28]
Script Magazine described the book as an "engaging portrait of a warm-hearted (if occasionally gruff) man who can justly be considered the modern equivalent ofVictor Fleming andMichael Curtiz—a highly talented, professional director of motion pictures who has thrived in the studio system and made some pretty good pictures to boot."[29]
TheDirectors Guild of America called the book "a compelling study of an ebullient, ballsy risk-taker who was a director even before he was aware of it" that "ably captures Donner's joy in doing a job he loves."[30]
Donner married film producerLauren Shuler on November 27, 1985. The two merged their respective production companies to create Shuler-Donner Productions (nowThe Donners' Company) the same year. Donner and Shuler remained together until Donner's death.
Donner was a cousin of actorSteve Kahan,[31] who played a policeman tracking Otis inSuperman: The Movie, and played Captain Ed Murphy in theLethal Weapon film franchise. Donner also cast Kahan in some of his other films.
Donner died on July 5, 2021 at his home inWest Hollywood, California, at the age of 91.[32][33] The cause of death washeart failure withatherosclerosis as an underlying cause.[34]
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | X-15 | Yes | No | |
| 1968 | Salt and Pepper | Yes | No | |
| 1970 | Lola | Yes | No | |
| 1976 | The Omen | Yes | No | |
| 1978 | Superman | Yes | No | |
| 1980 | Superman II | Uncredited | No | Replaced as director byRichard Lester during principal photography Lester received sole directorial credit |
| Inside Moves | Yes | No | ||
| 1982 | The Toy | Yes | No | |
| 1985 | Ladyhawke | Yes | Yes | |
| The Goonies | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1987 | Lethal Weapon | Yes | Yes | |
| 1988 | Scrooged | Yes | Yes | |
| 1989 | Lethal Weapon 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 1992 | Radio Flyer | Yes | No | ReplacedDavid Mickey Evans |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1994 | Maverick | Yes | Yes | |
| 1995 | Assassins | Yes | Yes | |
| 1997 | Conspiracy Theory | Yes | Yes | |
| 1998 | Lethal Weapon 4 | Yes | Yes | |
| 2003 | Timeline | Yes | Yes | |
| 2006 | 16 Blocks | Yes | No | |
| Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Yes | No | Director's cut ofSuperman II |
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Men of Annapolis | No | No | Writer; 4 episodes (only screenwriting credits in career) |
| 1960 | Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre | Yes | No | Episode: "So Young the Save Land" |
| The DuPont Show with June Allyson | Yes | No | Episode: "Emergency" | |
| 1960–61 | Wanted Dead or Alive | Yes | No | 6 episodes |
| 1961 | Letter to Loretta | Yes | No | 5 episodes |
| Route 66 | Yes | No | Episode: "A Bridge Across Five Days" | |
| The Tall Man | Yes | No | 2 episodes | |
| Wagon Train | Yes | No | Episode: "The Bettina May Story" | |
| 1961–62 | Have Gun – Will Travel | Yes | No | 5 episodes |
| 1962 | The Detectives | Yes | No | Episode: "Never the Twain" |
| The Rifleman | Yes | No | 7 episodes | |
| 1962–63 | Sam Benedict | Yes | No | 6 episodes |
| 1963 | The Eleventh Hour | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
| Combat! | Yes | No | Episode: "No Trumpets, No Drums" | |
| The Nurses | Yes | No | Episode: "The Helping Hand" | |
| 1963–64 | The Lieutenant | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
| The Twilight Zone | Yes | No | 6 episodes | |
| Mr. Novak | Yes | No | 7 episodes | |
| 1964 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters | Yes | No | Episode: "The Day of the Picnic" |
| The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Yes | No | 4 episodes | |
| 1964–65 | Gilligan's Island | Yes | No | 3 episodes |
| Perry Mason | Yes | No | ||
| 1965 | Twelve O'Clock High | Yes | No | 4 episodes |
| Get Smart | Yes | No | 2 episodes | |
| 1966 | The F.B.I. | Yes | No | Episode: "The Spy Master" |
| The Fugitive | Yes | No | 2 episodes | |
| It's About Time | Yes | No | Episode: "And Then I Wrote Happy Birthday to You" | |
| Jericho | Yes | No | Episode: "Upbeat and Underground" | |
| The Wild Wild West | Yes | No | 3 episodes | |
| The Felony Squad | Yes | No | ||
| 1968–69 | The Banana Splits Adventure Hour | Yes | No | 6 episodes |
| 1971 | The Interns | Yes | No | Episode: "Casualty" |
| Sarge | Yes | No | Episode: "Psst! Wanna Buy a Dirty Picture?" | |
| Bearcats! | Yes | No | 2 episodes | |
| 1971–72 | Cade's County | Yes | No | 3 episodes |
| 1971–73 | Cannon | Yes | No | 4 episodes |
| 1972 | The Sixth Sense | Yes | No | Episode: "The House That Cried Murder" |
| Ghost Story | Yes | No | Episode: "The Concrete Captain" | |
| Banyon | Yes | No | Episode: "The Old College Try" | |
| Ironside | Yes | No | Episode: "Who'll Cry for My Baby" | |
| The Bold Ones: The New Doctors | Yes | No | 3 episodes | |
| 1973–74 | Kojak | Yes | No | |
| 1974 | The Streets of San Francisco | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
| Sons and Daughters | Yes | No | 3 episodes | |
| Lucas Tanner | Yes | No | Episode: "Lucas Tanner" | |
| Petrocelli | Yes | No | Episode: "Death in High Places" | |
| 1975 | Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic | Yes | No | Television film |
| Bronk | Yes | No | 2 episodes | |
| 1989–96 | Tales from the Crypt | Yes | Executive | Director; 3 episodes Exec. producer; 93 episodes |
| 1992 | Two-Fisted Tales | Yes | No | Television film Segment: "Showdown" |
| 1993–94 | Tales from the Cryptkeeper | No | Executive | 39 episodes |
| 1996–97 | Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House | No | Executive | |
| 1997 | Perversions of Science | No | Executive | 10 episodes |
| 1999 | Made Men | No | Yes | Television film |
| Year | Institution | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films | Best Director | Superman | Nominated |
| World Science Fiction Society | Best Dramatic Presentation | Won | ||
| 1986 | Ladyhawke | Nominated | ||
| 1993 | National Cable Television Association | Best Dramatic Series | Tales from the Crypt | Nominated |
| 1994 | Nominated | |||
| 1995 | Nominated | |||
| 1997 | National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences | Outstanding Game Show | Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House | Nominated |
| 2000 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films | President's Award | — | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Directing | — | Won | |
| 2002 | Director's View Film Festival | Joseph L. Mankiewicz Excellence in Filmmaking Award | — | Won |
| 2006 | International Press Academy | Nikola Tesla Satellite Award | — | Won |
| 2007 | Casting Society of America | Career Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2008 | Ojai Film Festival | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2009 | American Cinema Editors | Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award | — | Won |
| Year | Film | Academy Awards | BAFTA Film Awards | Golden Globe Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | ||
| 1976 | The Omen | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1978 | Superman | 4 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1980 | Inside Moves | 1 | |||||
| 1985 | Ladyhawke | 2 | |||||
| 1987 | Lethal Weapon | 1 | |||||
| 1988 | Scrooged | 1 | |||||
| 1989 | Lethal Weapon 2 | 1 | |||||
| 1994 | Maverick | 1 | |||||
| Total | 13 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | ||
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
