Famed Hollywood director Richard Donner dead aged 91

Hollywood director Richard Donner, who directed The Goonies, Lethal Weapon and Superman, has died, his wife has revealed.

Famed Hollywood director Richard Donner has died aged 91.

Donner’s wife, Lauren Shuler Donner, confirmed the news today. His cause of death has not been revealed.

Donner, known affectionately as Dick, directed some of the 1970s and ‘80s most iconic films, including the 1978 Christopher Reeve-starring Superman – the first modern superhero film – as well as The Goonies and Lethal Weapon, with Mel Gibson.

Danny Glover, Richard Donner and Mel Gibson in 2017. Picture: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images

Donner and his wife, a producer, owned their own production company The Donners’ Company, which produced films such as Free Willy and the X-Men franchises.

He won the President’s Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 2000 for his contribution to the film industry.

Donner and his wife, whom he married in 1986, received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.

Bruce Willis and director Richard Donner on the set of 16 Blocks.

Donner’s rise to fame

The Bronx-born director started in television dramas in the 1950s, working on more than 25 series’ including Get Smart, The Wild Wild West, The Twilight Zone and Gilligan’s Island.

He directed his first feature film, X-15, in 1961, before getting his big break on the 1976 horror film, The Omen.

But his worldwide recognition came with Superman: The Movie, in 1978, which bolstered both Donner and his lead actor, Reeve, to international fame.

Superman became a smash hit and box office success, co-starring Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman.

Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in the 1978 film "Superman", directed by Richard Donner.

He went on to have even greater success, directing family film The Goonies in 1985, the Lethal Weapon series starting in 1987, Scrooged and Conspiracy Theory.

Donner directed all four Lethal Weapon films, which saw him enter a league of filmmakers capable of making more than a billion dollars at the global box office.

Donner also executive produced the 2000 Marvel Comics film, X-Men.

Tributes flow for Donner

People are paying tribute to the iconic director, who is being remembered as a “caring” and “wonderful” person.

US actor Sean Astin, who starred in The Goonies, remembered him as having the “biggest voice you could imagine”, while Steven Spielberg said he was an “endearing friend”.

Richard Donner had the biggest, boomiest voice you could imagine.
He commanded attention and he laughed like no man has ever laughed before. Dick was so much fun. What I perceived in him, as a 12 year old kid, is that he cared. I love how much he cared.

- Goonies Never Say Die

— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) July 5, 2021

Steven Spielberg reflects on the passing of Richard Donner, friend, and beloved director of THE GOONIES for Amblin Entertainment, who passed away today at 91.#RichardDonner#TheGooniespic.twitter.com/6KSmKvWqVI

— Amblin (@amblin) July 5, 2021

Richard Donner's big heart & effervescent charm shone in his movies through the remarkable performances of his cast, which is no mean feat. You remember all the characters in Superman, Lethal Weapon, The Goonies & more, because Donner knew how to capture that magic onscreen. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/7NDH9kKnQZ

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) July 5, 2021

Richard Donner made big time movies. Movies that remain in our consciousness. That never has been and never is easy. Always admired his work. #RIPhttps://t.co/NPqlIqcApe via @variety

— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) July 5, 2021

RIP #RichardDonner What an incredible career.

— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) July 5, 2021

More to come