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Richard Donner is a Actor, Director, Scriptwriter and Producer American born on 24 april 1930 at New York City (USA)

Richard Donner

Richard Donner
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Birth name Richard Donald Schwartzberg
Nationality USA
Birth 24 april 1930 at New York City (USA)
Death 5 july 2021 (at 91 years)

Richard Donner (born April 24, 1930) is an American film director and film producer.

After directing the horror film The Omen (1976), Donner became famous for the hailed creation of the first modern superhero film, Superman (1978), starring Christopher Reeve. The influence of this film eventually helped establish the superhero concept as a respected film genre.

Donner later went on to direct such films as The Goonies (1985) and Scrooged (1988), while reinvigorating the buddy film genre with Lethal Weapon (1987) and its sequels. He and his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner, own the production company The Donners' Company, which is most well known for producing the X-Men film series.

In 2000, he received the President's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. He was also nominated for Best Director in 1978 for Superman. Film historian Michael Barson writes that Donner had "emerged as one of Hollywood's most reliable makers of action blockbusters".

Biography

Fils d'un fabricant de meubles, Richard Donner poursuit des études commerciales tout en suivant des cours de théâtre à l'Université de New York. Logiquement, il fait ses débuts d'acteur dans des rôles de complément pour des spectacles “expérimentaux”. On le retrouve ensuite dans la dramatique de Martin Ritt, Of Human Bondage. Mais ses exploits d'acteur laissent froid tout le monde, y compris lui-même. Il se tourne donc vers la réalisation, et travaille pour la télévision, auprès de réalisateurs comme Sidney Lumet, John Frankenheimer et Arthur Penn.

En 1958, il s'installe à Los Angeles et réalise des films publicitaires, des documentaires et des films d'entreprise. Son premier grand succès, il le doit à la télévision, en dirigeant Steve McQueen dans un épisode d'Au nom de la loi. Une expérience qui lui vaut de réaliser bon nombre d'épisodes de séries culte : Sur la piste du crime, Cannon, Perry Mason, Les Rues de San Francisco, Les Mystères de l'Ouest, Bronk et La Quatrième Dimension.

Dès 1961, il réalise un premier film, X-15, suivi en 1968 de Sel, poivre et dynamite. Après plusieurs longs métrages, il est enfin reconnu en 1976, avec la sortie de La Malédiction, un film fantastique. Visiblement à l'aise dans le genre, on lui confie la réalisation de Superman, avec Christopher Reeve, qui connaîtra un gigantesque succès. Il réalise en 1985 un film d'aventure pour adolescents Les Goonies. Depuis, c'est avec sa rencontre avec l'acteur Mel Gibson qui devient principalement son acteur fétiche, il a donné naissance à la série de L'Arme fatale qui lui ont rapporté plus d'un milliard de dollars, la collaboration entre lui et l'acteur se poursuivra avec la comédie Maverick et le thriller Complots. Le cinéaste réalise en 1988 Fantômes en fête, le film d'action Assassins en 1995.

En 2006, sort en vidéo Superman 2: The Richard Donner Cut, qui est une version remontée de Superman 2 (1980). Il s'était fait renvoyer du projet après le tournage du premier film et de nombreuses séquences du 2e (les deux films étant tournés à la suite). Il avait été remplacé par Richard Lester qui, selon de nombreux fans, avait massacré le 2e film. À la suite de nombreuses critiques, Warner Bros. autorisa un remontage du film par Richard Donner, selon ses idées originales.

En outre, il a produit Génération perdue, de Joel Schumacher, Sauvez Willy (1 et 2). En attendant, il est toujours coproducteur avec Joel Silver, David Giler, Walter Hill et Robert Zemeckis des Contes de la Crypte. Il a fondé la société de production Donners' Company, en compagnie de son épouse Lauren Shuler Donner.

Best films

Lethal Weapon 5 (1986)
(Director)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
(Producer)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
(Executive Producer)
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
(Director)
Superman (1978)
(Director)
X-Men (2000)
(Executive Producer)

Usually with

Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Richard Donner (47 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics
Genres Documentary, Action, Crime
Themes Documentary films about the visual arts, Superhero films
Actors Christopher Lee, Clancy Brown, Kevin Conroy, Claudia Black, Guillermo del Toro, Richard Donner
Roles Self
Rating66% 3.3477453.3477453.3477453.3477453.347745
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics explores the roles that DC villains have had in shaping the stories that they appear in.
Casting By
Casting By (2012)
, 1h29
Origin USA
Genres Documentary
Themes Documentary films about business, Documentary films about the film industry, Documentary films about cities
Actors Marion Dougherty, Lynn Stalmaster, Woody Allen, Jeff Bridges, Glenn Close, Robert De Niro
Roles Self
Rating75% 3.788223.788223.788223.788223.78822
The film is a celebration of the casting profession, highlighting its previously unsung role in film history while also serving as an elegy to the lost era of the New Hollywood. It focuses on casting pioneer Marion Dougherty, an iconoclast whose exquisite taste, tenacity and gut instincts brought a new kind of actor to the screen that would mark the end of the old studio system and help to usher in this revolutionary new period. The film draws a line through the last half century to show us the profession’s evolution from studio system type-casting to the rise of large ensemble films populated with unique and diverse casts.
No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos, 1h44
Origin USA
Genres Documentary
Themes Documentary films about business, Documentary films about the visual arts, Documentary films about the film industry, Documentaire sur une personnalité
Actors Dennis Hopper, Peter Bogdanovich, Sharon Stone, John Boorman, Karen Black, Sandra Bullock
Roles Self
Rating77% 3.861193.861193.861193.861193.86119
This documentary traces the careers of cinematographers László Kovács and Vilmos Zsigmond. These lifelong friends are Hungarian expatriates who had been studying cinematography in Hungary and defected following the 1956 Soviet invasion. Coincidentally, they also photographed many of the tumultuous events during the invasion.
16 Blocks
16 Blocks (2006)
, 1h45
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Action, Adventure, Crime
Actors Bruce Willis, Mos Def, David Morse, Jenna Stern, Cylk Cozart, David Zayas
Roles Man Holding a Birthday Cake (uncredited)
Rating65% 3.2988853.2988853.2988853.2988853.298885
Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is an alcoholic, burned-out N.Y.P.D. detective. Despite a late shift the night before, his lieutenant orders him to escort a witness, Eddie Bunker (Mos Def), from local custody to the courthouse 16 blocks away to testify on a police corruption case before a grand jury at 10 a.m. Bunker tries to be friendly with Mosley, telling him of his aspirations to move to Seattle to become a cake baker with his sister whom he has never met, but Mosley is uninterested, and stops at a liquor store. They are suddenly ambushed by a gunman, and Mosley drags Bunker to a local bar to take shelter and call for backup. Mosley's former partner, Frank Nugent (David Morse), and several other officers arrive. Nugent and his men have ulterior motives, telling Mosley that Bunker is not worth defending as his testimony will likely out several officers, including Nugent, who are involved in the corruption scheme, and they try to frame Bunker for firing at an officer before they kill him. Mosley intervenes, rescuing Bunker and fleeing.
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman, 1h40
Directed by Kevin Burns
Origin USA
Genres Documentary
Themes La bande dessinée, Films about children, Documentary films about the visual arts, Superman films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Superhero films, Documentaire sur la bande dessinée, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Films about extraterrestrial life
Actors Kevin Spacey, Dean Cain, Richard Donner, Stan Lee, Bryan Singer, Gerard Christopher
Roles Self
Rating77% 3.8872653.8872653.8872653.8872653.887265
Des comics books aux diverses incarnations animées ou de chair et d'os, la fabuleuse histoire d'une icône emblématique de la culturelle américaine, appartenant au monde imaginaire de l’Univers DC: Superman...
Timeline
Timeline (2003)
, 1h56
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Time travel films
Actors Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Gerard Butler, David Thewlis, Billy Connolly, Anna Friel
Roles Man in Car (uncredited)
Rating56% 2.800762.800762.800762.800762.80076
Professor Edward Johnston leads an archaeological study of the village of Castelgard near LaRoque Castle in Dordogne, France, the site of the 1357 hanging of Lady Claire, sister to Arnaut de Cervole; her martyrdom led the French the win the Hundred Years War against the English. Johnston's includes Scottish archaeologist André Marek, Johnston's students Kate Erickson, Josh Stern, and François Dontelle, and his son Chris who is infatuated with Kate. While excavating a nearby monastery, they find a sarcophagus with the remains of a French knight with a lopped ear holding the hand of his lady, an unheard-of practice for the time. Johnston travels to the American headquarters of the ITC Corporation, their sponsor, to question if they have tampered with the site. The students later discover a pair of Johnston's bifocals and a note begging for help, though both date over 600 years old. When they contact ITC, the company invites them to their headquarters.
Out Cold
Out Cold (2001)
, 1h30
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Sports films, Sports d'hiver, Snowboard
Actors Jason London, A.J. Cook, Lee Majors, Zach Galifianakis, Victoria Silvstedt, Willie Garson
Roles Snooty Bartender (uncredited)
Rating61% 3.0985353.0985353.0985353.0985353.098535
The story covers the lives of snowboarding buddies Rick, Luke, Anthony, and Pig Pen, who are living large in their beloved hometown of Bull Mountain in Alaska. Partying hard, looking for girls, and doing just about anything to have a good time is what life on Bull Mountain is all about, but that all looks to have a quick end when town founder Papa Muntz dies, and his son Ted decides to sell the mountain to slick Colorado businessman John Majors. Nobody supports his plans to turn the mountain into an "espresso-and-tofu" ski resort, and it's up to Luke, Pig Pen, Anthony, Jenny, Rick and the others to keep Bull Mountain yuppie-free. Once they realize John's purchase will change the town drastically, they enlist the aid of Majors' beautiful, rebellious daughters, Inga and Anna, to sabotage the purchase.
Conspiracy Theory, 2h9
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action
Themes Spy films, Medical-themed films, Transport films, Films about automobiles, Films about psychiatry, Road movies, Chase films
Actors Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Steve Kahan, Cylk Cozart, Alex McArthur
Roles Cab Passenger
Rating66% 3.3493253.3493253.3493253.3493253.349325
Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts) is a lawyer working for the U.S. government at the Justice Department. Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson), a conspiracy-theory obsessed New York City taxi driver, continually expounds his ideas to her. Alice humors him because he once saved her from a mugging, but does not know he has been spying on her at home. Her own obsession is to solve the mystery of her father's murder.
Maverick
Maverick (1994)
, 2h7
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Action, Adventure, Western
Themes Jeu, Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Poker
Actors Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene, Alfred Molina, James Coburn
Roles Dealer (uncredited)
Rating69% 3.499143.499143.499143.499143.49914
The story, set in the American Old West, is a first-person account by wisecracking gambler Bret Maverick (Mel Gibson) of his misadventures on the way to a major five-card draw poker tournament. Besides wanting to win the tournament for the prize money, he also wants to prove, once and for all, that he is the best card player of his time.
The Goonies, 1h50
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Adventure
Themes L'adolescence, Films about children, Seafaring films, Transport films, Pirate films, Road movies, Children's films, Chase films
Actors Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green
Roles Policeman (uncredited)
Rating76% 3.8481453.8481453.8481453.8481453.848145
Facing foreclosure of their homes in the Goon Docks area of Astoria, Oregon to an expanding country club, a group of children called the "Goonies" gathers for a last weekend. The Goonies include optimist Mikey Walsh, his older brother Brand, the inventive Data, the talkative Mouth, and the overweight klutz Chunk. While rummaging through the Walshes' attic, they come across an old treasure map and a 1632 doubloon, that shows the whereabouts of a treasure, of a famous pirate, named "One-Eyed" Willy, which is rumored to be hidden nearby. Evading Brand for one last adventure together, the kids find themselves at a derelict restaurant near the coast, which coincides with the doubloon and the map. They encounter the Fratellis, a family of criminals hiding out at the abandoned restaurant. Evading detection by returning outside, the kids run into Brand and two girls: the popular cheerleader Andy, who has a crush on Brand, who shares the same feelings for her, and Stef, a nerdy, tough-talking girl and Andy's best friend.
Superman II, 2h3
Directed by Richard Donner, Richard Lester
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about children, Space adventure films, Politique, Films about terrorism, Sur la Lune, Films set in the future, Superman films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Superhero films, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Sur la Lune, Films about extraterrestrial life, Alien invasions in films, Arme nucléaire, Disaster films, White House in fiction
Actors Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas
Roles Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)
Rating67% 3.3993353.3993353.3993353.3993353.399335
Prior to the destruction of Krypton, the criminals General Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) are sentenced to banishment into the Phantom Zone for insurrection and murder, amongst other crimes.
Inside Moves, 1h53
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Sports films, Basketball films
Actors John Savage, David Morse, Diana Scarwid, Amy Wright, Tony Burton, Bill Henderson
Roles Man who closes the ambulance doors (uncredited)
Rating69% 3.4951753.4951753.4951753.4951753.495175
After a suicide attempt leaves a man named Roary (John Savage) partially crippled, he finds himself living in a rundown house in Oakland, California. He spends a lot of time at a neighborhood bar, which is full of other disabled people, and becomes best friends with Jerry (David Morse), the barman with a bad leg.
Superman
Superman (1978)
, 2h17
Directed by Richard Donner, John Glen
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about children, Time travel films, Superman films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Superhero films, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Films about extraterrestrial life
Actors Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper, Ned Beatty
Roles Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited)
Rating73% 3.697363.697363.697363.697363.69736
On the planet Krypton, using evidence provided by scientist Jor-El, the Ruling Council sentences three attempted insurrectionists, General Zod, Ursa, and Non, to "eternal living death" in the Phantom Zone. Despite his eminence, Jor-El is unable to convince the Council of his belief that Krypton will soon be destroyed when its sun explodes. To save his infant son, Kal-El, Jor-El launches a spacecraft containing him toward Earth, a distant planet with a suitable atmosphere, and where Kal-El's dense molecular structure will give him superhuman powers. Shortly after the launch, Krypton is destroyed.

Director

16 Blocks
16 Blocks (2006)
, 1h45
Directed by Richard Donner
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Action, Adventure, Crime
Actors Bruce Willis, Mos Def, David Morse, Jenna Stern, Cylk Cozart, David Zayas
Rating65% 3.2988853.2988853.2988853.2988853.298885
Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) is an alcoholic, burned-out N.Y.P.D. detective. Despite a late shift the night before, his lieutenant orders him to escort a witness, Eddie Bunker (Mos Def), from local custody to the courthouse 16 blocks away to testify on a police corruption case before a grand jury at 10 a.m. Bunker tries to be friendly with Mosley, telling him of his aspirations to move to Seattle to become a cake baker with his sister whom he has never met, but Mosley is uninterested, and stops at a liquor store. They are suddenly ambushed by a gunman, and Mosley drags Bunker to a local bar to take shelter and call for backup. Mosley's former partner, Frank Nugent (David Morse), and several other officers arrive. Nugent and his men have ulterior motives, telling Mosley that Bunker is not worth defending as his testimony will likely out several officers, including Nugent, who are involved in the corruption scheme, and they try to frame Bunker for firing at an officer before they kill him. Mosley intervenes, rescuing Bunker and fleeing.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, 1h56
Directed by Richard Donner, Richard Lester
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about children, Superman films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Superhero films, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Films about extraterrestrial life
Actors Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas
Rating75% 3.7992853.7992853.7992853.7992853.799285
On the planet Krypton, criminals General Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) are sentenced to eternal banishment inside the Phantom Zone by Jor-El (Marlon Brando) for insurrection and murder, amongst other crimes. Later, the shockwaves resulting from Krypton's explosion change the trajectory of the Phantom Zone, causing it to set on the same course as Kal-El's starship to Earth. Thirty years later, Superman (Christopher Reeve) diverts an XK-101 missile into outer space and, unknowingly, destroys the Phantom Zone as it drifts towards Earth and frees its captives.