Richard Donner: Director of Superman, The Goonies and Lethal Weapon Dies

Richard Donner was an American film director and producer, best known for The Omen, Superman, The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon series. Born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1930, in the Bronx, New York City, he served in the Navy as an aerial photographer.

Donner began directing television in 1957, including episodes of The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. His breakthrough was the horror film The Omen (1976), followed by Superman (1978), whose tagline promised audiences they would believe a man could fly. He then directed The Goonies (1985), Scrooged (1988) and the Lethal Weapon films starting in 1987.

Donner served as executive producer of HBO's Tales from the Crypt and of X-Men (2000). He was removed from Superman II, and the film was completed by Richard Lester, but the Richard Donner Cut was released in 2006. He married producer Lauren Shuler Donner in 1985. He died at his home in West Hollywood on July 5, 2021, at age 91.

Achievements: Directed The Omen (1976), Superman (1978), The Goonies (1985) and Lethal Weapon (1987), executive producer of Tales from the Crypt.

Birth: April 24, 1930 - The Bronx, New York City.

Profession: Film director and producer.

Interesting Facts: He and his wife received a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. He adopted the name Donner when he began his career.