Richard Donner (April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021) was a film and television director, television writer, executive producer and producer. He was the director and producer for The Goonies.
Life and career[]
Born on April 24, 1930 in The Bronx of New York City as Richard Donald Schwartzberg, he entered the film industry with hopes to act. However, he fell to directing roles for business-related ventures such as commercials. Growing from commercials he became a director for various television programs, including Get Smart, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Gilligan's Island. He also directed episodes for The Twilight Zone, including the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet".
His early forays into cinema include X-15, Salt and Pepper, and The Omen. The movie that launched him to fame was Superman, which quickly became an international success. His dedication to providing a serious superhero film instead of a campy one would later shape modern superhero films, even forty years later. Despite the success of Superman, he was fired during production of its sequel.
Other notable movies he directed included The Goonies, Scrooged, and Lethal Weapon, the latter of which being his second biggest hit behind Superman.
In addition to directing, he helped executive produced several other movies, such as The Lost Boys, the first three Free Willy movies, X-Men and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Donner passed away on July 5, 2021. He was 91 when he died.
Behind the scenes[]
Donner directed not only The Goonies, but the music video for Cyndi Lauper's single "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough".
He also had a cameo role as a policeman in The Goonies in the scene where the Goonies are discovered out on Cauldron Point.
Gallery[]
| Crew members on The Goonies | |
|---|---|
| Chris Columbus • Richard Donner • Dave Grusin • Nick McLean • J. Michael Riva • Doyle Smiley • Steven Spielberg • Matt Sweeney |