Mark Rydell, director of 'On Golden Pond', dies at 97

Mark Rydell, the Oscar-nominated director of On Golden Pond (1981), died on Thursday at age 97 from natural causes at a retirement home for entertainment industry professionals in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, his daughter Amy Rydell confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter Source: Listín Diario. His death was also announced by actress Bette Midler on Instagram, who called him "the whisperer of actors" Source: Infobae.

Career highlights

Rydell directed a dozen films, including The Rose (1979), The Cowboys (1972), and The River (1984). His most celebrated work, On Golden Pond, earned 10 Oscar nominations, winning three: Best Actor for Henry Fonda, Best Actress for Katharine Hepburn, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Rydell himself was nominated for Best Director but lost to Warren Beatty for Reds Source: La Vanguardia. The film grossed over $119 million, making it the second highest-grossing film of 1981 Source: Listín Diario.

Actor and mentor

Before directing, Rydell was an actor, appearing in The Long Goodbye (1973) and Hollywood Ending (2002). He was known for his ability to draw strong performances from actors; Bette Midler earned her two Oscar nominations under his direction Source: La Vanguardia. His daughter remembered him as "the funniest and most talented person I have ever known" Source: Hoy.

Legacy

Rydell's films accumulated 26 Oscar nominations overall Source: La Vanguardia. He died five months after Henry Fonda, who passed away shortly after winning his only Oscar for On Golden Pond Source: Listín Diario. His last film as director was Even Money (2006) Source: La Vanguardia.