Prolific Hollywood director and producer Richard Donner, who helmed the original Superman, Lethal Weapon, and The Goonies, has died at age 91. His wife and business manager, Lauren Schuler Donner, and Warner Bros. confirmed Donner passed away on Monday. No cause of death has been revealed.
Born in the Bronx, Donner began his storied, five-decade long career in television, directing a bevy of classic shows from the ’60s including Route 66, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Gilligan’s Island, Perry Mason, The Wild Wild West, and The Twilight Zone episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” starring William Shatner. In 1961, he directed his first feature film, X-15, starring Charles Bronson and featuring then newcomer Mary-Tyler-Moore. His big break in the film industry came with 1976’s horror film The Omen, starring Gregory Peck, David Warner, and Lee Remick, which became the 5th highest grossing film of the year.
Donner followed up this success by directing Superman: The Movie, starring Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, and relatively unknown Christopher Reeve as the titular Man of Steel. At that point, Superman was the most expensive film ever made with a budget of $55 million, as well as the the first movie based on a superhero tentpole classic. Superman soared, grossing over $300 million at the box office, garnering three Oscar nominations (and winning a special Academy Award for its visual effects), and launching Reeve into superstardom.
Donner continued to make hit films into the 1980s, directing the iconic children’s movie The Goonies, the Bill Murray Christmas Carol redux Scrooged, and the first Lethal Weapon film, spawning a successful franchise in the process. In 2006, Donner directed his last film, 16 Blocks, starring Bruce Willis.
“Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres,” said Steven Spielberg in a statement today. “Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favorite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and — of course — the greatest Goonie of all. He was all kid. All heart. All the time. I can’t believe he’s gone, but his husky, hearty, laugh will stay with me always.”
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