Richard Donner

American film director (1930–2021)

Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg, April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021) was an American movie director, movie producer, and comic book writer. He was known for directing the superhero movie Superman, The Goonies, and Lethal Weapon.

Richard Donner
Born
Richard Donald Schwartzberg

(1930-04-24)April 24, 1930
DiedJuly 5, 2021(2021-07-05) (aged 91)
Cause of deathHeart and respiratory failure caused by atherosclerosis
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Film director, Television director, Film producer
Years active1957–2009
Known forThe Omen
Superman
The Goonies
Lethal Weapon
Spouse
(m. 1985)
Awards

Early years

change

Richard Schwartzberg was born in the Bronx, to Jewish parents,[1] Hattie and Fred Schwartzberg.[2][3] His father owned a small furniture manufacturing business.[2] He has a sister, Joan.[2] Donner started his career with hopes of acting, but quickly moved into directing commercials and making business films.

Donner died on July 5, 2021 at the age of 91 at his home in West Hollywood, California.[4][5][6] The cause of death was heart and respiratory failure caused by atherosclerosis.[7]

Filmography

change
Year Title Director Producer Notes
1961 X-15 Yes
1968 Salt and Pepper Yes
1969 Lola aka "Twinky" Yes
1976 The Omen Yes
1978 Superman Yes
1980 Superman II Yes Uncredited;
with Richard Lester
Inside Moves Yes
1981 Omen III: The Final Conflict Yes
1982 The Toy Yes
1985 The Goonies Yes Yes
Ladyhawke Yes Yes
1987 Lethal Weapon Yes Yes
The Lost Boys Yes Directed by
Joel Schumacher
1988 Scrooged Yes Yes
1989 Lethal Weapon 2 Yes Yes
1991 Delirious Yes Directed by
Tom Mankiewicz
1992 Radio Flyer Yes
Lethal Weapon 3 Yes Yes
1993 Free Willy Yes Directed by
Simon Wincer
1994 Maverick Yes Yes
1995 Assassins Yes Yes
Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home Yes Directed by
Dwight H. Little
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight Yes Directed by
Ernest Dickerson
1996 Tales from the Crypt: Bordello of Blood Yes Directed by
Gilbert Adler
1997 Conspiracy Theory Yes Yes
Free Willy 3: The Rescue Yes Directed by
Sam Pillsbury
1998 Lethal Weapon 4 Yes Yes
1999 Any Given Sunday Yes Directed by
Oliver Stone
2000 X-Men Yes Directed by
Bryan Singer
2002 Tales from the Crypt: Ritual Yes Directed by
Avi Nesher
2003 Timeline Yes Yes
2006 16 Blocks Yes
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Yes
2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine Yes Directed by
Gavin Hood

Television

change
Year Title Notes
1960 Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre 1 episode
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1960-61 Wanted Dead or Alive 6 episode
1961 Letter to Loretta 5 episode
Route 66 1 episode
The Tall Man 2 episodes
Wagon Train 1 episode
1961-62 Have Gun – Will Travel 5 episodes
1962 The Detectives 1 episode
The Rifleman 7 episodes
1962-63 Sam Benedict 6 episodes
1963 The Eleventh Hour 2 episodes
Combat! 1 episode
The Nurses
1963-64 The Lieutenant 2 episode
The Twilight Zone 6 episodes
Mr. Novak 7 episodes
1964 The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters 1 episode
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 4 episode
1964-65 Gilligan's Island 3 episode
Perry Mason
1965 Twelve O'Clock High 4 episode
Get Smart 2 episodes
1966 The F.B.I. 1 episode
The Fugitive 2 episodes
It's About Time 1 episode
Jericho
The Wild Wild West 3 episode
The Felony Squad
1968-69 The Banana Splits Adventure Hour 6 episodes
1971 The Interns 1 episode
Sarge
Bearcats! 2 episodes
1971-72 Cade's County 3 episodes
1971-73 Cannon 4 episodes
1972 The Sixth Sense 1 episode
Ghost Story
Banyon
Ironside
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors 3 episodes
1973-74 Kojak
1974 The Streets of San Francisco 2 episodes
Sons and Daughters 3 episodes
Lucas Tanner 1 episode
Petrocelli
1975 Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Television film
Bronk 2 episode
1989-92 Tales from the Crypt 3 episodes

Also executive producer

1992 Two-Fisted Tales Television film

with
Tom Holland
Robert Zemeckis

1993-94 Tales from the Cryptkeeper Executive producer
1997 Perversions of Science
1999 Made Men Producer

Television film

References

change
  1. Vanity Fair: "The Rude Warrior" by Peter Biskind March 2011
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Variety Magazine: "Vet helmer’s long and boffo road" by Beverly Walker July 31, 1997
  3. Haaretz: "Superman, Man of Schlemiel? - Superman, the invention of two U.S. Jews, is a profoundly Jewish character whose film history is entwined with that of American Jewry" by Nathan Abrams June 16, 2013
  4. Richard Donner Dies: 'Superman', 'Lethal Weapon' and 'The Goonies' Director Was 91
  5. "Remembering Richard Donner: With 'Superman' and the 'Lethal Weapon' Films, He Made the Blockbuster Era Both Bigger and Smaller". Varitey.
  6. "Richard Donner, director of Superman and The Goonies, dies aged 91". Guardian. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  7. "'Superman' director Richard Donner's death certificate reveals he died of heart failure". Yahoo. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.

Other websites

change