Richard Donner(1930-2021)

Director
Producer
Actor

Richard Donner at an event for 16 Blocks (2006)

We break down the biggest gaffes, blunders, and mistakes on Richard Donner's classic kids adventure film, 'The Goonies' (1985).

Play clip2:12

Goofs! 'The Goonies'

Richard Donner was born on 24 April 1930 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a director and producer, known for Superman (1978), Ladyhawke (1985) and Lethal Weapon (1987). He was married to Lauren Shuler Donner. He died on 5 July 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

IMDbProStarmeter See rank

Awards
- 10 wins & 7 nominations total

Photos35

+ 29

Known for

Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas, Jeff East, Margot Kidder, Jack O'Halloran, Valerie Perrine, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)

Superman

7.4

Director

1978

Ladyhawke

6.9

Director

1985

Lethal Weapon

7.6

Director

1987

Conspiracy Theory

6.7

Director

1997

Credits

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IMDbPro

Director

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
7.6
- Director
- 2006
16 Blocks
6.6
- Director
- 2006
Timeline
5.6
- Director
- 2003
Lethal Weapon 4
6.6
- Director
- 1998
Conspiracy Theory
6.7
- Director
- 1997
Assassins
6.3
- Director
- 1995
The Best of Sting: Fields of Gold 1984-1994
7.3
Video
- Director (video "It's Probably Me")
- 1994
Maverick
7.0
- Director
- 1994
Tales from the Crypt
8.0
TV Series
- Director
- 1989–1992
Sting Feat. Eric Clapton: It's Probably Me
7.5
Music Video
- Director
- 1992
Lethal Weapon 3
6.7
- Director
- 1992
Radio Flyer
6.9
- Director (directed by)
- 1992
Two-Fisted Tales
5.8
TV Movie
- Director (segment "Showdown")
- 1992
Lethal Weapon 2
7.3
- Director (directed by)
- 1989
Scrooged
6.9
- Director
- 1988

Producer

Our Time
6.0
TV Movie
- executive producer
- 2022
Black & White in Colors
6.1
- associate producer
- 2012
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
6.5
- executive producer
- 2009
Timeline
5.6
- producer
- 2003
Ritual
4.8
- producer
- 2002
Matthew Blackheart: Monster Smasher
4.6
TV Movie
- producer
- 2002
X-Men
7.3
- executive producer
- 2000
Any Given Sunday
6.9
- executive producer
- 1999
Made Men
5.9
- producer
- 1999
Lethal Weapon 4
6.6
- producer
- 1998
Double Tap
5.1
- producer
- 1997
Free Willy 3: The Rescue
4.7
- executive producer
- 1997
Conspiracy Theory
6.7
- producer
- 1997
Perversions of Science
6.3
TV Series
- executive producer
- 1997
Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House
7.3
TV Series
- executive producer (1997)
- 1996–1997

Actor

Hollywood's Best Film Directors
6.7
TV Series
- 2009
16 Blocks
6.6
- Man Holding a Birthday Cake (uncredited)
- 2006
Timeline
5.6
- Man in Car (uncredited)
- 2003
Out Cold
6.2
- Snooty Bartender (uncredited)
- 2001
Conspiracy Theory
6.7
- Cab Passenger (uncredited)
- 1997
Maverick
7.0
- Dealer (uncredited)
- 1994
Tales from the Crypt
8.0
TV Series
- Man at Bar
- Audience Member (uncredited)
- 1989–1990
The Goonies
7.7
- Policeman (uncredited)
- 1985
Inside Moves
7.0
- Man Who Closes the Ambulance Doors (uncredited)
- 1980
Superman II
6.8
- Man Walking by Diner (uncredited)
- 1980
Superman
7.4
- Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited)
- 1978
Bronk
6.6
TV Series
- African-American Prostitute's John
- Customer
- 1975
Lassie
6.5
TV Series
- Clay Braddock
- 1971
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
7.7
TV Series
- Inebriate (as Dick Donner)
- 1964
Sam Benedict
7.7
TV Series
- Grover Stann
- 1963

In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos2

Clip 2:12

Goofs! 'The Goonies'

Clip 7:00

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

Clip 7:00

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

Personal details

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Alternative names
- Dick Donner
Height
- 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
Born
- April 24, 1930
- The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Died
- July 5, 2021
- Los Angeles, California, USA(undisclosed)
Spouse
- Lauren Shuler DonnerNovember 27, 1986 - July 5, 2021 (his death)
Parents
Relatives
- Joan Schwartzberg(Sibling)
Other works
Music video: Directed Cyndi Lauper music video "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" (from the film The Goonies (1985))
Publicity listings

Did you know

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Trivia
Originally directed Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980) back-to-back, then cut back on filming the sequel to focus on finishing the first one for a Christmas release. A clash with producers Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind over the material led to Donner being fired before he could finish filming the second one and he was replaced by Richard Lester. Donner later estimated that he had directed 80% of the sequel and saw about 50% of his work in the theatrical film.

Quotes
[acknowledging Geoffrey Unsworth for developing the photography process that made the flying scenes in Superman (1978) possible] If it hadn't been for Geoffrey Unsworth, we wouldn't have had a movie.