Richard Donner, the Hollywood director who was prominent for his work on the original ‘Superman’ film, has died aged 91.
Lauren Shuler Donner, his wife, who broke the news to Deadline, said he breathed his last on Monday. She, however, did not reveal the cause of his death.
He was also known for directing the 1985 classic ‘The Goonies’ and the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series.
Richard Donner’s SUPERMAN is the DNA, the fundamental building block, that all good super hero movies have been built from. It was the earnest leap of faith, the single bound, that made us all believe that a man could fly.
Richard Donner’s SUPERMAN is the DNA, the fundamental building block, that all good super hero movies have been built from. It was the earnest leap of faith, the single bound, that made us all believe that a man could fly. https://t.co/I3hEJU9s2c pic.twitter.com/ev7Yb3lSHJ
—Dan Slott (@DanSlott) July 5, 2021
Donner directed his first feature film ‘X-15’ (1961). Seven years later, he was credited for ‘Salt and Pepper’ (1968), as well as ‘Free Willy’ and The Lost Boys’.
His breakthrough movie was The Omen (1976), a supernatural horror film that became the fifth highest-grossing movie of 1976.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the deceased on social media platforms as words of his demise spread.
—Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 5, 2021
Steven Spielberg, ‘The Goonies’ writer, in a statement, spoke highly of the deceased who he had worked with on movie sets.
“Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favourite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and – of course – the greatest Goonie of all,” he said.
“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.”
On his part, Mel Gibson, a Hollywood actor, who starred in Donner’s ‘Lethal Weapon’ as well as ‘Conspiracy Theory’, described the deceased as one who was “magnanimous of heart and soul, which he liberally gave to all who knew him.”
“If we piled up all the good deeds he did, it would stretch to some uncharted place in the firmament. I will sorely miss him, with all his mischievous wit and wisdom,” he added.
