Richard Donner: biography and career

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Today we'll talk about a wonderful director of the 90s.

Richard Donner is an American film director and producer who co-owns the Donners' Company with his wife Lauren Schuler. Donner and Christopher Reeve's "Superman" had a great impact on the future of science fiction cinema, and greatly influenced Richard's later career.

Biography

Richard Donner was born in New York, Bronx, USA on April 24, 1930.

Real name is Donald Richard Schwartzberg. Parents are Jews Fred and Hatti Schwarzberg. In the family, Richard did not grow up alone, he has a younger sister, Joan.

From a very young age, Richard began to play in theatrical productions. Having matured, the teenager began to turn his dream into reality. Directed his first low-budget film "X-15", which appeared on the screen in 1962.

Filmography. Directing and producing

In 1976, Richard directed the film The Omen. Two years later, the fantastic film "Superman" was released. Thanks to these films, Donner acquired a worldwidefame. Later came the second part of a fantastic story. The director was Richard Donner. "Superman" tells the story of a boy who later discovered incredible abilities in himself.

After that, Donner directed the films Toy, Hidden Passes, The Goonies, Ladyhawk and Police Story.

And in 1987, the first part of the series "Lethal Weapon" appeared. Mel Gibson played the title role. The film was a great success and brought fame to both of them.

In 2003, Richard Donner participated in the filming of a science fiction film based on the novel by the famous American science fiction writer "Trapped in Time".

The films "Conspiracy Theory" with Mel Gibson, "The Assassins" with Sylvester Stallone, Julianne Moore and Antonio Banderas were filmed between them. The comedy film "Maverick" was nominated for an Academy Award.

In many films, Richard was not only a director, but also a producer. These are all the same films Maverick, Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 3, Conspiracy Theory and Hitmen. One of the last production works was the film "People of the Mafia". Black Rain is nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound.

He also executive produced "Tale from the Crypt", "Any Sunday" and "X-Men".

Lethal Weapon

Picture,released in 1987, was quite successful. The film became one of the most popular and famous action films of the 80s. The main character is Detective Martin Riggs, played by Mel Gibson. He suffered the death of his beloved wife very hard and even wanted to commit suicide, but his partner Roger Murtha does not let him do it. At the same time, two police officers are investigating a drug case.

The second part of the detective comes out in two years. Two police brothers went on the trail of the drug mafia. One of the scammers was arrested. The same detectives were assigned to protect him.

In the movie "Lethal Weapon-3" all the same police officers Martin Riggs and Roger Murtha. This time they are investigating the case of the theft of weapons from the police warehouse. The criminal gang is led by a former police officer, against whom Lorna Cole helps the heroes collect evidence.

The fourth part, released in 1998, was the last film in the detective franchise. Many years have passed, the heroes have aged significantly and received the rank of captain. Riggs married Lorna and they are expecting a baby together.

But the heroes cannot do without adventures. Randomly bumping into a Chinese mobster, they start investigating a counterfeit money printing case.

The film is a place to relax and laugh, full of chases, fights and mind-blowing stunts that Jet Li demonstrates.

Personal life and interesting facts

In 1985, Richard Donner met and married American producer Lauren Schuler, laterbecame Donner. The couple have lived together for 32 years. Richard is 19 years older than Lauren. Together they own The Donners' Company.

After the release of Superman, Richard was nominated for the Saturn Award (Best Director). In 2000, he received the President's Award, as well as a prize at the Hollywood Film Festival. Six years later, he was awarded the Nikola Tesla Golden Satellite prize.

One of the most famous directors and producers is Richard Donner. The filmography of this man has more than seven dozen works. In some films, he took part as an actor.

This talented person will remain in the hearts of viewers for a long time. His films allow you to relax and simply enjoy watching.