Filmmaker Richard Donner dies at age 91
‘Superman’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’ franchise are among his blockbusters
Filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s “Superman” and mastered the buddy comedy with the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, has died. He was 91.
Donner died Monday in Los Angeles, his family said through a spokesperson.
Donner gained fame with his first feature, 1976’s “The Omen.” A then-unheard-of offer followed: $1 million to direct 1978’s “Superman.” Donner channeled his love of the character into making the film, repeatedly facing off with producers over the need for special effects that would convince the audience that a superhero could really fly. In the title role, Donner cast Christopher Reeve, who was associated with “Superman” for the rest of his life.
By the 21st century, the genre was dominating the box office in the U.S. and thriving overseas. The heads of Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment — producers of most of today’s superhero fare — both worked for Donner when they were starting out in Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg, who produced “The Goonies,” wrote in a statement that “Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres. 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.” Tributes also poured in on Twitter Monday, including from “Goonies” star Sean Astin.
“Richard Donner had the biggest, boomiest voice you could imagine,” Astin wrote. “He commanded attention and he laughed like no man has ever laughed before. Dick was so much fun. What I perceived in him, as a 12-year-old kid, is that he cared. I love how much he cared.”
Director Kevin Smith tweeted that “Richard Donner made the devil a child in ‘The Omen,’ invented the modern-day comic book movie with ‘Superman,’ and reinvented the buddy cop movie with ‘Lethal Weapon.’ I got to meet with him last year about a project. Guy was a natural born storyteller. Thanks for all the flicks, Dick!”
Filmmaker Edgar Wright added, “Richard Donner’s big heart & effervescent charm shone in his movies through the remarkable performances of his cast, which is no mean feat. You remember all the characters in ‘Superman,’ ‘Lethal Weapon,’ ‘The Goonies’ and more because Donner knew how to capture that magic onscreen.”
Wright said he only met Donner once, but said, “He was funny, charming and so full of stories (and happy to indulge my geeky questions).”
Donner followed “Superman” with the indie “Inside Moves” in 1980 and “The Toy” with Richard Pryor in 1982. In 1985, he made the kids’ adventure classic “The Goonies” and “Ladyhawke,” which would introduce him to his future wife, Lauren Shuler Donner.
The two married the following year. In 1993, they founded The Donners Company, which has produced such hits as “Deadpool,” “The Wolverine” and the “X-Men” franchise. Adjusted for inflation, his films have generated more than $1 billion in box office receipts.
“Let me tell you: Dick Donner directing is truly the sexiest man alive,” Shuler Donner said at a film academy tribute to the director in 2017.
She said a director’s personality often reveals itself onscreen.
“If you look at Dick’s movies, Dick is fun, larger than life, loud, strong, with a big mushy heart,” she said. “His confidence, his fearlessness, his humor are what make people adore him and has wrapped around me like a protective cloak.
“The combination of learning moviemaking from Richard Donner and falling in love with him has made me personally and professionally a better producer and a happier, loving person,” she continued, calling “Ladyhawke” their “personal love story.”
“I’m the hawk and he’s the wolf,” she said.
In 1987, Donner cast Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched police pair in the buddycop action film “Lethal Weapon.” The film was a smash, spawning several sequels and a TV show.
“He was a master storyteller,” Gibson said in 2017. “He was humble. He had this sign over this door that said ‘Leave your ego at the door,’ and there was no ego around him. It was hard for me to walk into the room, actually.”
Donner followed up with the Bill Murray hit “Scrooged” in 1988 and “Lethal Weapon 2” the next year.
His other credits include “Maverick,” “Conspiracy Theory” and “Radio Flyer.”
Born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1930, in New York City, Donner changed his name when he set out to become an actor.
“I would have been an out-of-work actor now if it wouldn’t have been for the great director Marty Ritt,” Donner said.
He recalled Ritt suggesting he pursue directing. “And because I’d been hanging with him a little bit, he said, ‘You’re my assistant on the next show,’ and that turned my life around,” Donner said. “I never went back to acting.”