You can’t say this about a lot of people in Hollywood, but producer-director Richard Donner, known to most as Dick, was really beloved. He has died at the age of 91.
Donner hadn’t made a movie since 2006’s little gem, “16 Blocks,” but he stopped at the top of his game. His list of credits is powerhouse: the original “Superman” Movies with Chris Reeve, the “Lethal Weapon” series, “Goonies,” “The Omen,” and “Scrooged” with Bill Murray, which got terrible reviews but is a fan favorite.
Dick cut his teeth directing classic television. “Kojak,” “Cannon,” “The Wild Wild West,” he directed both “Get Smart” and “The Man from UNCLE” (the former was a parody of the latter), six episodes of “The Twilight Zone,” and dozens more. He even acted in some of the early ones.
He was born Richard Donald Schwartzberg in New York in April 1930, and was married since 1986 to producer director Lauren Shuler Donner. In October 2008, both Lauren and Dick were honored with Stars next to each other on the Hollywood Blvd Walk of Fame. Dick was charming, loyal and, funny. He will be much missed. Condolences to his family and friends.
