Bob Rafelson
Biography
Robert “Bob” Rafelson (February 21 1933 – July 23 2022) was an American film director, writer and producer. He was born in New York City, the son of a hat manufacturer, and his uncle was screenwriter and playwright Samson Raphaelson. Rafelson is best known for directing and co‑writing the film Five Easy Pieces, which starred Jack Nicholson, and for co‑creating the pop group and television series The Monkees with his Raybert/BBS Productions partner Bert Schneider. He and Nicholson collaborated for more than thirty years, writing and producing the 1968 Monkees feature Head, which Rafelson also directed. The Movie Database lists him under the alternate name “Robe” and records 37 directing credits.
Career overview
Robert “Bob” Rafelson was born on February 21, 1933, in New York City, the son of a hat manufacturer and the nephew of screenwriter‑playwright Samson Raphaelson. An American film director, writer and producer, Rafelson is recorded as having 37 directing credits. He first achieved public recognition as one of the creators of the pop group and television series The Monkees, a project he developed with his Raybert/BBS Productions partner Bert Schneider.
Rafelson’s long‑standing professional relationship with actor Jack Nicholson spanned more than three decades. Together they wrote and produced the 1968 musical film Head, which starred The Monkees and was directed by Rafelson. The director’s most celebrated work followed shortly thereafter with the film Five Easy Pieces, which he both directed and co‑wrote and which featured Nicholson in the lead role. Rafelson’s career is noted for these collaborations and for his contributions to both cinema and television, establishing him as a prominent figure in American directing until his death on July 23, 2022, at the age of 89.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
60 titles- We Blew It (2017) as Self
- BBStory: An American Film Renaissance (2010) as Self
- America Lost and Found: The BBS Story (2010) as Self
- Reflections of a Philosopher King (2010) as Self
- Soul Searching in 'Five Easy Pieces' (2010) as Self
- No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2009) as Self
- No Good Deed (2002) Director
- Afterthoughts (2002) as Self
- Porn.com (2002) as Matty Bonkers
- Porn.com (2002) Director
- Poodle Springs (1998) Director
- Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) as Self
- Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Blood and Wine (1996) Director
- Blood and Wine (1996) Story
- Tales of Erotica (1996) as Rejected Customer (segment 'Wet') (uncredited)
- Tales of Erotica (1996) Director
- Tales of Erotica (1996) Writer
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995) as Man At Mall
- Picture Windows (1995) Director
- Picture Windows: Armed Response (1995) Director
- Wet (1994) as Rejected Customer (uncredited)
- Wet (1994) Director
- Man Trouble (1992) Director
- Mountains of the Moon (1990) Director
- Mountains of the Moon (1990) Screenplay
- On the tracks of a filmmaker (1988) as Bob Rafelson
- Black Widow (1987) Director
- Always … But Not Forever (1985) as Sam
- Notre Dame de la Croisette (1983) as Self
- Mora (1982) as Gangster
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) Director
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) Producer
- Modesty (1981) as Self
- Modesty (1981) Director
- Stay Hungry (1976) as Man on a Sidewalk with Painting (uncredited)
- Stay Hungry (1976) Director
- Stay Hungry (1976) Screenplay
- Stay Hungry (1976) Producer
- The Mother and the Whore (1973) Producer
- The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) Director
- The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) Writer
- The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) Producer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- The Last Picture Show (1971) Producer
- Five Easy Pieces (1970) as Man in Elevator (uncredited)
- Five Easy Pieces (1970) Director
- Five Easy Pieces (1970) Story
- Five Easy Pieces (1970) Producer
- Head (1968) as Self (uncredited)
- Head (1968) Writer
- Head (1968) Director
- Head (1968) Producer
- The Monkees (1966) as World's Oldest Flower Child (uncredited)
- The Monkees (1966) Writer
- The Monkees (1966) Director
- The Monkees (1966) Producer
- The Monkees (1966) Creator
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963) Producer
- The World of Sholom Aleichem (1959) Script Editor
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bob Rafelson best known for?
Bob Rafelson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including No Good Deed (2002), Poodle Springs (1998), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Man Trouble (1992).
When and where was Bob Rafelson born?
Bob Rafelson was born on February 21, 1933 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on July 23, 2022.
How many credits does Bob Rafelson have?
Bob Rafelson has accumulated over 60 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2017.
What is Bob Rafelson's background in cinema and television?
Robert “Bob” Rafelson (February 21 1933 – July 23 2022) was an American film director, writer and producer. He was born in New York City, the son of a hat manufacturer, and his uncle was screenwriter and playwright Samson Raphaelson. Rafelson is best known for directing and co‑writing the film Five Easy Pieces, which s...
Bob Rafelson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995) as Man At Mall — aged about 62
- Five Easy Pieces (1970) as Man in Elevator (uncredited) — aged about 37
- The Monkees (1966) as World's Oldest Flower Child (uncredited) — aged about 33
- Head (1968) as Self (uncredited) — aged about 35
- Stay Hungry (1976) as Man on a Sidewalk with Painting (uncredited) — aged about 43
- Film '72 (1971) as Self — aged about 38
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