Richard Donner Superman, filmmaker Lethal Weapon, died at the age of 91 in Entertainment News

American filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create a modern superhero blockbuster with the 1978 film Superman and mastered the comedy of friends with the Lethal Weapon franchise, has died. He was 91 years old.

Donner died Monday in Los Angeles, his family said through a spokesman.

Donner rose to fame with his first feature film, in 1976, under the name The Omen. Then came an unheard of offer: a million dollars to direct the 1978 Superman. Donner’s passion for the character led him to make the film, which he repeatedly confronted with the producers about the need for special effects that a superhero could actually fly. In the title, Donner starred in his life-long Superman-related Christopher Reeve.

XXI. By the turn of the century, the genre was dominating the U.S. box office and advancing abroad. The heads of Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment – the producers of most of today’s superhero fares – both worked when they started at Donner’s Hollywood. Donner’s career spanned five decades.

Steven Spielberg produced the film The Goonies, directed by Donner, about a group of unsuspecting children looking for a pirate treasure in 1985.

In a statement, he called Donner “gifted in so many genres.” Being in his circle was like being with your favorite coach, the smartest teacher, the toughest motivator, the most lovable friend, the most honest ally, and of course the greatest Goonie of all, ”he wrote in a note.

“Everything was a child. With all my heart. All the time. I can’t believe he’s gone, but his rough, hard laughter will always be with me. ‘

Director Kevin Smith tweeted: “Richard Donner turned the devil into a child in The Omen, invented the modern day comic with Superman and reinvented the buddy cop with Lethal Weapon. Last year I came across him on a project “Guy was a storyteller of his own. Thank you for all the movies, Dick!”

Donner also incorporated his political beliefs into his films, including “Free South Africa” posters and “Stamp Out the NRA” (National Rifle Association) poster in many of his works during apartheid.

“I’m commenting, if you see it, you see it, if you don’t, you don’t do it,” Donner said in a 2006 interview at Television Academy.

Donner continued with Superman in Inside Moves in 1980 and The Toy with Richard Pryor in 1982. In 1985, he made a classic children’s adventure with The Goonies and Ladyhawke, which would introduce his future wife to Lauren Shuler Donner.

The two were married the following year. Founded in 1993, it has produced hits such as The Donners Company, Deadpool, The Wolverine and the X-Men franchise. Adjusted for inflation, his films have generated more than a billion dollars in box office receipts.

In 1987, Donner cast Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as Lethal Weapon as a police couple who did not match up in the friendly police action film. It was a terrific film, it created several sequels and a TV series.

He diminished his talent and greatness with a great deal of humility which he referred to as the “pure traffic police.” He left his ego at the door and demanded the others. He was great in heart and soul, and he gave them to all who knew him. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/WqFK8LKwP5

– Mel Gibson (@MelGibsonFilms) July 5, 2021

“He was a master storyteller,” Gibson said in 2017. “It was simple. This sign on this door said, ‘Leave your ego at the door,’ and there was no situation around it. It was hard for me to get into the room, really.”

Donner continued the successful Bill Murray Scrooged in 1988 and Lethal Weapon 2 the following year.

His other credits are Maverick, Conspiracy Theory and Radio Flyer.

Born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1930 in New York City, Donner changed his name to become an actor.

“I would be a jobless actor now if it weren’t for the great director Marty Ritt,” Donner said.

He recalled that Ritt had told him, “Your problem is that you can’t take a direction,” and instead suggested that he continue in management.

“And because I hung out with him a little bit, he said to me,‘ You’re my assistant in the next session, ’which turned my life upside down,” Donner said. “I never went back to acting.”

He began working in television, directing episodes of Gilligan’s Island, Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone, including a 1963 episode of William Shatner’s Nightmare at 2,000 Feet.

I am sorry to hear of his death. He was a wonderful director. I honestly don’t have many memories of filming. It was chaotic; It was supposed to be a 4 day shoot and they were cut in half. They kept us there all day on the 2nd day to finish. We all slept.???????? https://t.co/sk4QLxZEWu

– William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 6, 2021

Away from the camera, Donner was known for his extraordinary kindness and generosity, covering a college education for one Goonies star (Jeff Cohen, now an entertainment lawyer) and paying for a lifetime rehabilitation for another (actor Corey Feldman).

In a 1985 interview with Donner, he told The Associated Press that the young actor had contributed to the production.

“I never had my kids, and they became like my family,” she said.

Along with his wife, Donner was also an ardent animal advocate, rescuing dozens of dogs over the years and fighting the captivity of whale killers.

Although some of Donner’s films created an Oscar nomination, they were never nominated. But he had the opportunity to thank the academy – and his many friends and colleagues – at the tribute.

“This industry is my friend, and it’s been the biggest gift in the world for me,” Donner said. “You are my Oscar.”