Richard Donner

Born:24 tháng 4, 1930

Place of Birth:Bronx, New York, USA

Died:5 tháng 7, 2021

Known For:Directing

Biography

Richard Donner, born Richard Donald Schwartzberg, was a visionary American film director and producer whose impact on Hollywood is immeasurable. With a career spanning over five decades, Donner became known as a master of action blockbusters, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry. His work not only entertained audiences but also inspired generations of filmmakers worldwide.

Starting his journey in the entertainment industry in 1957 as a television director, Donner honed his craft by working on popular series such as The Rifleman, The Fugitive, and The Twilight Zone. It was in the 1970s that he truly made his mark with the horror classic The Omen, showcasing his ability to create tension and suspense on screen. This success paved the way for his iconic superhero film, Superman, in 1978, setting a new standard for the genre and influencing future superhero movies.

In the 1980s, Donner continued to captivate audiences with films like The Goonies and Scrooged, showcasing his versatility as a director. He also revitalized the buddy cop film genre with the groundbreaking Lethal Weapon series, which became a cultural phenomenon. Alongside his wife, Lauren, Donner co-founded The Donners' Company, a production company responsible for producing beloved franchises like Free Willy and X-Men, further solidifying his legacy in Hollywood.

Beyond his work in film and television, Donner's contributions extended to the world of comic books, where he co-wrote stories for DC Comics, including Superman. His passion for storytelling and dedication to his craft earned him accolades, including the prestigious President's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films in 2000.

Richard Donner's impact on the entertainment industry transcends time, with his films continuing to be celebrated and cherished by audiences of all ages. His ability to blend heart-pounding action with compelling storytelling set him apart as a true cinematic pioneer. As a trailblazer in the world of filmmaking, Donner's legacy will forever endure, inspiring future generations of storytellers to push boundaries and create unforgettable cinematic experiences.

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Diễn Xuất

The Goonies

Policeman (uncredited)

1985

Young teen Mikey Walsh and his friends set off on a quest to find Pirate One-Eyed Willie's treasure in hopes of saving their homes from demolition.

Superman

Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited)

1978

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

Superman II

Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)

1980

Three escaped criminals from the planet Krypton, who have the same powers on Earth as Superman, test the Man of Steel's mettle. Led by General Zod, the Kryptonians take control of the White House and partner with Lex Luthor to destroy Superman and rule the world. But Superman, who made himself human in order to get closer to Lois, realizes he has a responsibility to save the planet.

Maverick

Dealer (uncredited)

1994

Bret Maverick is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them, and needs an additional $3k in order to enter a winner-takes-all poker game beginning in a few days. He joins forces with a woman with a marvelous Southern accent, and the two try and enter the game.

Conspiracy Theory

Cab Passenger (uncredited)

1997

A man obsessed with conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of his theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, in order to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.

Timeline

Man in Car (uncredited)

2003

A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)

2006

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Self (archive footage)

2024

Christopher Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care.

16 Blocks

Man Holding a Birthday Cake (uncredited)

2006

An aging cop is assigned the ordinary task of escorting a fast-talking witness from police custody to a courthouse, but they find themselves running the gauntlet as other forces try to prevent them from getting there.

Sản Xuất

The Goonies

Director

1985

Young teen Mikey Walsh and his friends set off on a quest to find Pirate One-Eyed Willie's treasure in hopes of saving their homes from demolition.

Superman

Director

1978

The Lost Boys

Executive Producer

1987

When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.

Lethal Weapon

Producer

1987

Buttoned-down veteran LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh is partnered with unhinged cop Martin Riggs, who — distraught after his wife's death — has a death wish and takes unnecessary risks with criminals at every turn. The odd couple embark on their first homicide investigation as partners, involving a young woman known to Murtaugh with ties to a drug and prostitution ring.

The Omen

Director

1976

Immediately after their miscarriage, the US diplomat Robert Thorn adopts the newborn Damien without the knowledge of his wife. Yet what he doesn’t know is that their new son is the son of the devil.

Superman II

Director of Photography

1980

Lethal Weapon 3

Director

1992

Riggs and Murtaugh pursue a former officer who uses his knowledge of police procedure and policies to steal and sell confiscated guns and ammunition to local street gangs.

Lethal Weapon 2

Director

1989

Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.

Lethal Weapon 4

Producer

1998

With personal crises and age weighing in on them, Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads trying to free their former leaders from prison and onto American soil.

Any Given Sunday

Executive Producer

1999

A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.

Ladyhawke

Director

1985

Captain Etienne Navarre is a man on whose shoulders lies a cruel curse. Punished for loving each other, Navarre must become a wolf by night whilst his lover, Lady Isabeau, takes the form of a hawk by day. Together, with the thief Philippe Gaston, they must try to overthrow the corrupt Bishop and in doing so break the spell.

Free Willy

Executive Producer

1993

When maladjusted orphan Jesse vandalizes a theme park, he is placed with foster parents and must work at the park to make amends. There he meets Willy, a young Orca whale who has been separated from his family. Sensing kinship, they form a bond and, with the help of kindly whale trainer Rae Lindley, develop a routine of tricks. However, greedy park owner Dial soon catches wind of the duo and makes plans to profit from them.

Maverick

Director

1994

Conspiracy Theory

Producer

1997

A man obsessed with conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of his theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, in order to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home

Executive Producer

1995

Jesse becomes reunited with Willy three years after the whale's jump to freedom as the teenager tries to rescue the killer whale and other orcas from an oil spill.

Scrooged

Director

1988

Frank Cross is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.

Assassins

Producer

1995

Assassin Robert Rath arrives at a funeral to kill a prominent mobster, only to witness a rival hired gun complete the job for him -- with grisly results. Horrified by the murder of innocent bystanders, Rath decides to take one last job and then return to civilian life. But finding his way out of the world of contract killing grows ever more dangerous as Rath falls for his female target and becomes a marked man himself.

Timeline

Director

2003

A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Director

2006

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

The Final Conflict

Executive Producer

1981

Damien Thorn has helped rescue the world from a recession, appearing to be a benign corporate benefactor. When he then becomes U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Damien fulfills a terrifying biblical prophecy. He also faces his own potential demise as an astronomical event brings about the second coming of Christ.

Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight

Executive Producer

1995

Ex-soldier Frank Brayker is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister Collector is a demon who wants the key so he can initiate the apocalypse. On the run from wicked mercenaries for almost 90 years, Brayker finally stops in at a boarding house in New Mexico where — with the help of its residents — he plans to face off against the Collector and his band of ghouls, preventing them from ever seizing the key.

Bordello of Blood

Executive Producer

1996

Private eye Rafe Guttman is hired by repressed, born-again Katherine to find her missing bad-boy brother. The trail leads him to a whorehouse run by a thousand-year-old vampire and secretly backed by Katherine's boss, televangelist Jimmy Current.

16 Blocks

Director

2006

The Toy

Director

1982

On one of his bratty son Eric's annual visits, the plutocrat U.S. Bates takes him to his department store and offers him anything in it as a gift. Eric chooses a black janitor who has made him laugh with his antics. At first the man suffers many indignities as Eric's "toy", but gradually teaches the lonely boy what it is like to have and to be a friend.

Delirious

Executive Producer

1991

A soap opera writer gets hit on the head and wakes up as a character in his own show.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Executive Producer

2009

After seeking to live a normal life, Logan sets out to avenge the death of his girlfriend by undergoing the mutant Weapon X program and becoming Wolverine.

X-Men

Executive Producer

2000

Two mutants, Rogue and Wolverine, come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.