Acclaimed director Richard Donner, who is well known for his work on films such as “Superman” and “The Goonies” has died at the age of 91…
Critically acclaimed director Richard Donner, who was behind the camera for numerous fan-favorite films, has died at the age of 91.
His wife Lauren Schuler Donner made the announcement on Monday.
A native of New York, Donner initially wanted to become an actor but after landing a bit part on a television show, he made the decision to become a writer and director instead. He eventually started directing commercials and then moving over into television where he worked on series such as “The Rifleman” as well as “The Fugitive,” “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Twilight Zone.”
Donner then began directing films with his breakout movie coming in 1975 when he released “The Omen” starring Gregory Peck about a couple who ends up raising a child destined to become the Anti-Christ.
Then in 1978, Donner directed the original “Superman” movie after casting Christopher Reeve in the lead role as the Man of Steel. At the same time he was in production on the first film, Donner was already beginning to shoot footage for a sequel but he was eventually fired off the project due to a contentious relationship with the movie’s producers.
Donner was eventually able to release “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut” in 2006 that realized his full vision for the sequel.
Following the massive success of “Superman,” Donner went onto “The Goonies,” which became a cult classic and then he turned his attention to the “Lethal Weapon” franchise where he made one of the most successful buddy cop movies of all time after teaming up Mel Gibson with Danny Glover. Donner would eventually return for three more sequels in the “Lethal Weapon” franchise.
Donner also directed the critically acclaimed Christmas film “Scrooged” starring Bill Murray, which was released in 1988.
The last film Donner directed came in 2006 with the movie “16 Blocks.”
