We’ve learned the sad news today that legendary filmmaker Richard Donner, who directed horror classic The Omen back in 1976, has passed away this week at the age of 91.
Of course, The Omen is hardly the only classic film Richard Donner is known for, as he also directed a string of other classics including Superman, The Goonies, Scrooged, and all four Lethal Weapon movies. Donner also directed six episodes of the original “The Twilight Zone” series, along with three episodes of HBO’s series “Tales from the Crypt.”
Donner was one of the key creative figures on “Tales from the Crypt,” exec producing the whole series. He also exec produced the movies Bordello of Blood and Demon Knight.
Richard Donner also directed the films Superman II, Inside Moves, The Toy, Ladyhawke, Radio Flyer, Maverick, Assassins, Conspiracy Theory, and most recently, 2006’s 16 Blocks.
Donner got his start directing for the small screen prior to making the leap to the big screen with The Omen, directing episodes of “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “The Rifleman,” “Have Gun – Will Travel,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, “Gilligan’s Island,” “Perry Mason,” “Get Smart,” “The Banana Splits Adventure Hour,” “Cannon,” “Sons and Daughters,” and “Kojak.”
The episodes of “The Twilight Zone” directed by Donner include the iconic Nightmare at 20,000 Feet and Come Wander With Me, and his “Tales” episodes include standout The Ventriloquist’s Dummy.
