'On Golden Pond' director Mark Rydell dies at 97

‘On Golden Pond’ director Mark Rydell, who was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1981 sentimental blockbuster that also delivered Henry Fonda his only Oscar win, has died at the age of 97.

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His daughter, Amy Rydell, confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter, saying her father, who had worked with Hollywood titans such as John Wayne, Steve McQueen, and Katharine Hepburn, died of natural causes in Los Angeles.

What they're saying:

"Hard to put into words how much I loved my dad," she posted Friday on her Instagram account. "He was truly one of a kind. Funniest and most talented person I’ve ever known."

The backstory:

‘On Golden Pond’ earned 10 Oscar nominations and, with $119 million at box office, it was the second-highest grossing movie of the year, behind only ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark." In addition to Fonda winning for Best Actor, Hepburn took home Best Actress, while the film also won for Best Screenplay.

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Several other of Rydell’s movies also picked up Oscar nominations in various categories, including, "The Fox," McQueen’s "The Reivers," "Cinderella Liberty," "The Rose," and "The River."

The backstory:

Rydell was born on March 23, 1929, in New York City, and went on to study at the Juilliard School of Music. While serving in Japan during his time in the Army, Rydell created entertainment for military personnel. He went on to graduate from New York University, where he majored in philosophy and English. 

Rydell turned to acting and had roles on the CBS soap operas "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns." He was also in Robert Altman’s "The Long Goodbye" and Woody Allen’s "Hollywood Ending." 

Rydell is survived by his daughter and sons Christopher and Alexander, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

 

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