Celebrated Director of Iconic Films like The Goonies and Superman Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Richard Donner, the influential director and producer known for classics such as The Goonies and Superman, has passed away at the age of 91. The news was confirmed by his production company to Variety on Monday, although the cause of death has yet to be disclosed.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Donner in 2017, highlighting his unique ability to “leap movie genres with a single bound,” and recognizing his remarkable journey through Hollywood that began in television and spanned over five decades.
In addition to The Goonies and Superman, Donner was celebrated for directing the Lethal Weapon film series, the 1976 horror classic The Omen, and the 1988 holiday favorite Scrooged.
A Bronx native, Donner achieved breakout success with The Omen, a collaboration between American and British filmmakers, featuring Gregory Peck as Robert Thorn, a father to a child who is revealed to be the Antichrist.
