Written by Shawn Allen
Richard Donner, director of such films as 1978’s Superman and 1985’s The Goonies passed away on Monday at age 91.
The prolific director got his start in television, directing episodes of The Twilight Zone and Gilligan’s Island before transitioning to film full-time with 1976’s The Omen. Donner is also considered a pioneer of the comic book film, directing the 1978 film Superman, starring Christopher Reeves as the titular hero. While comic book adaptations are a dime a dozen today, many would argue that Donner’s take on The Man of Steel was revolutionary at the time, defining the character for a generation.
Throughout the 1980’s, Donner would continue to cement his status as a prolific film director, with hits such as 1985’s blockbuster adventure The Goonies, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Corey Feldman among others. The film, based on a story by Steven Spielberg, would go on to gross $124 million at the box office and stand out in the minds of a generation as one of the greatest films of all time. In a statement released on Monday, Spielberg noted that “Being in [Donner’s] 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.”
In the later years of his career, Richard Donner would go on to develop the Lethal Weapon film series starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, as well as serving as an executive producer on 2000’s X-Men. In recent years, the director had shown interest in revisiting The Goonies and Lethal Weapon in an unknown capacity.
Donner is survived by his wife, producer Lauren Schuler Donner.
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