Richard Donner
Directing Born Apr 24, 1930 Died Jul 5, 2021 Bronx, New York, USA 159 credits
Biography
Richard Donner was a male American filmmaker born on April 24, 1930, in the Bronx, New York, USA. He began his career in 1957 as a television director. Donner directed episodes of various series, including The Rifleman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Fugitive, and The Twilight Zone. He made his film debut with the low-budget aviation drama X-15 in 1961. Donner's career spanned over six decades, crossing genres and influencing trends among filmmakers worldwide. He is known for his work as a director, with a career that included directing 133 known credits. Donner passed away on July 5, 2021, at the age of 91.
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Career overview
Richard Donner began his career as a television director in 1957. He directed episodes of various series, including The Rifleman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Fugitive, The Twilight Zone, and The Banana Splits. Donner's early work in television laid the groundwork for his future success in film.
Donner made his film debut with the low-budget aviation drama X-15 in 1961. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career in film, spanning over six decades. His work crossed genres and influenced trends among filmmakers worldwide.
Throughout his career, Donner directed some of the most financially successful films of the 1970s and 1980s. His ability to craft action blockbusters earned him a reputation as one of Hollywood's most reliable makers of such films. Donner's body of work includes numerous films and television shows, with a total of 133 known credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Sergei Bodrov Jr.
3 shared titles
Viktor Sukhorukov
2 shared titles
Bruce Willis
1 shared title
Sandra Bullock
1 shared title
Naveen Andrews
1 shared title
Christian Bale
1 shared title
Colin Farrell
1 shared title
Terrence Malick
1 shared title
Kalani Queypo
1 shared title
Lawrence Santiago
1 shared title
Career timeline
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Superpowered: The DC Story
Reunited ApartCursed Films
Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed FilmValerie
Eli Roth's History of HorrorDavi's Way
Life After FlashLaddie: The Man Behind the Movies
Close Encounters with Vilmos Zsigmond
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC ComicsTales from the Warner Bros. Lot
Casting ByMaximum Impact: The Legacy of 'Lethal Weapon'
Secret Origin: The Story of DC ComicsMaking of a Cult Classic: The Unauthorized Story of 'The Goonies'
X-Men Origins: Wolverine · Executive ProducerNo Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos
Starz Inside: Comic Books Unbound
16 Blocks16 Blocks · DirectorSuperman II: The Richard Donner CutSuperman II: The Richard Donner Cut · DirectorLook, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
The Curse of 'The Omen'
TimelineTimeline · DirectorTimeline · Producer
Ritual · Producer
Out ColdThe Omen LegacyMaking 'Superman': Filming the LegendTaking Flight: The Development of 'Superman'
666: The Omen RevealedX-Men · Executive Producer
Any Given Sunday · Executive ProducerMade Men · ProducerTales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection · Producer
Lethal Weapon 4 · DirectorLethal Weapon 4 · Producer
Perversions of Science · Executive ProducerConspiracy TheoryConspiracy Theory · DirectorConspiracy Theory · ProducerFree Willy 3: The Rescue · Executive Producer
Bordello of Blood · Executive ProducerE! True Hollywood Story
Assassins · DirectorAssassins · ProducerFree Willy 2: The Adventure Home · Executive ProducerTales from the Crypt: Demon Knight · Executive ProducerW.E.I.R.D. World · Executive Producer
MaverickMaverick · DirectorMaverick · ProducerFree Willy · Executive Producer
Free Willy · Executive Producer
HBO First LookHBO First LookLethal Weapon 3 · DirectorLethal Weapon 3 · ProducerRadio Flyer · Director
Delirious · Executive Producer
Tales from the CryptTales from the Crypt · DirectorTales from the Crypt · Executive ProducerLethal Weapon 2 · DirectorLethal Weapon 2 · Producer
Scrooged · ProducerScrooged · Director
Full Filmography
159 titles- Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Superpowered: The DC Story (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Reunited Apart (2020) as Self
- Cursed Films (2020) as Self - Director, The Omen
- Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film (2019) as Self
- Valerie (2019) as Self
- Eli Roth's History of Horror (2018) as Self
- Davi's Way (2018) as Self
- Life After Flash (2017) as Self
- Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies (2017) as Self
- Close Encounters with Vilmos Zsigmond (2016) as Self
- Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire (2014) as Self - Filmmaker
- Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics (2013)
- Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot (2013) as Self
- Casting By (2012) as Self
- Maximum Impact: The Legacy of 'Lethal Weapon' (2012) as Self
- Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Making of a Cult Classic: The Unauthorized Story of 'The Goonies' (2010) as Self
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Executive Producer
- No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2009) as Self
- Starz Inside: Comic Books Unbound (2008) as Self - Director, Superman: The Movie
- 16 Blocks (2006) as Man Holding a Birthday Cake (uncredited)
- 16 Blocks (2006) Director
- Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)
- Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) Director
- Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman (2006) as Self
- Superman II: Restoring the Vision (2006) as Self
- You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006) as Self
- The Curse of 'The Omen' (2005) as Self
- Timeline (2003) as Man in Car (uncredited)
- Timeline (2003) Director
- Timeline (2003) Producer
- Ritual (2002) Producer
- Out Cold (2001) as Snooty Bartender (uncredited)
- The Omen Legacy (2001) as Self
- Making 'Superman': Filming the Legend (2001) as Self
- Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman' (2001) as Self
- 666: The Omen Revealed (2000)
- X-Men (2000) Executive Producer
- Any Given Sunday (1999) Executive Producer
- Made Men (1999) Producer
- Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection (1999) Producer
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Director
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Producer
- Perversions of Science (1997) Executive Producer
- Conspiracy Theory (1997) as Cab Passenger (uncredited)
- Conspiracy Theory (1997) Director
- Conspiracy Theory (1997) Producer
- Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997) Executive Producer
- Double Tap (1997) Producer
- Bordello of Blood (1996) Executive Producer
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Assassins (1995) Director
- Assassins (1995) Producer
- Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995) Executive Producer
- Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) Executive Producer
- W.E.I.R.D. World (1995) Executive Producer
- The Omen (1995) Executive Producer
- The Omen (1995) Executive Producer
- Film Music Masters: Jerry Goldsmith (1995)
- Maverick (1994) as Dealer (uncredited)
- Maverick (1994) Director
- Maverick (1994) Producer
- Free Willy (1994) Executive Producer
- Free Willy (1993) Executive Producer
- HBO First Look (1992)
- HBO First Look (1992) as Self
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Director
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Producer
- Radio Flyer (1992) Director
- Two-Fisted Tales (1992) Director
- Two-Fisted Tales (1992) Executive Producer
- Delirious (1991) Executive Producer
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Man at Bar (uncredited)
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) Director
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) Executive Producer
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Director
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Producer
- Mel Gibson's Unauthorized Video Diary (1989) as Self
- First Works (1989) as Self
- Scrooged (1988) Producer
- Scrooged (1988) Director
- Lethal Weapon (1987) Director
- Lethal Weapon (1987) Producer
- The Lost Boys (1987) Executive Producer
- The Ultimate Stuntman: A Tribute to Dar Robinson (1987) as Himself
- Scream Greats, Vol.2: Satanism and Witchcraft (1986) as Himself
- The Goonies (1985) as Policeman (uncredited)
- The Goonies (1985) Director
- The Goonies (1985) Producer
- Ladyhawke (1985) Director
- Ladyhawke (1985) Producer
- The Making Of The Goonies (1985) as Self
- The Toy (1982) Director
- The Making of 'Superman: The Movie' (1982) as Self
- The Final Conflict (1981) Executive Producer
- Superman II (1980) as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)
- Inside Moves (1980) as Man who closes the ambulance doors (uncredited)
- Inside Moves (1980) Director
- Superman (1978) as Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited)
- Superman (1978) Director
- The Omen (1976) Director
- Bronk (1975) Director
- A Shadow in the Streets (1975) Director
- Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic (1975) Director
- Petrocelli (1974) Director
- Sons and Daughters (1974) Director
- Senior Year (1974) Director
- Lucas Tanner (1974) Director
- Kojak (1973) Director
- Nightside (1973) Director
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) Director
- Ghost Story (1972) Director
- Banyon (1972) Director
- The Marshal of Madrid (1972) Director
- Sam Cade (1972) Director
- Cannon (1971) Director
- Sarge (1971) Director
- Bearcats! (1971) Director
- The Interns (1970) Director
- Twinky (1970) Director
- The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969) Director
- Salt & Pepper (1968) Director
- Ironside (1967) Director
- Felony Squad (1966) Director
- Jericho (1966) Director
- It's About Time (1966) Director
- The Wild Wild West (1965) Director
- Get Smart (1965) Director
- The F.B.I. (1965) Director
- The Trials of O'Brien (1965) Director
- 12 O'Clock High (1964) Director
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) as Inebriate
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) Director
- Gilligan's Island (1964) Director
- The Fugitive (1963) Director
- Mr. Novak (1963) Director
- The Lieutenant (1963) Director
- The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963) Director
- Philbert (Three's a Crowd) (1963) Director
- Combat! (1962) Director
- Sam Benedict (1962) as Grover Stann
- Sam Benedict (1962) Director
- The Eleventh Hour (1962) Director
- X-15 (1961) Director
- Route 66 (1960) Director
- The Tall Man (1960) Director
- The Twilight Zone (1959) Director
- The Detectives (1959) Director
- The Rifleman (1958) Director
- Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958) Director
- Perry Mason (1957) Director
- Wagon Train (1957) Director
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) Director
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) Director
- Lassie (1954) as Clay Braddock
- Letter to Loretta (1953) Director
- Lethal Weapon 5 Screenplay
- Lethal Weapon 5 Story
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Donner best known for?
Richard Donner is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Eli Roth's History of Horror (2018), Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies (2017), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), 16 Blocks (2006).
When and where was Richard Donner born?
Richard Donner was born on April 24, 1930 in Bronx, New York, USA. They passed away on July 5, 2021.
How many credits does Richard Donner have?
Richard Donner has accumulated over 159 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2024.
What is Richard Donner's background in cinema and television?
Richard Donner was a male American filmmaker born on April 24, 1930, in the Bronx, New York, USA. He began his career in 1957 as a television director. Donner directed episodes of various series, including The Rifleman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Fugitive, and The Twilight Zone. He made his film debut with the low-bu...
Richard Donner by the numbers
159credits
102films
57TV series
1953–2024active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Man at Bar (uncredited) — aged about 59
- The Goonies (1985) as Policeman (uncredited) — aged about 55
- Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited) — aged about 76
- Superman (1978) as Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited) — aged about 48
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) as Inebriate — aged about 34
- Maverick (1994) as Dealer (uncredited) — aged about 64
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