An Oscar-nominated director known for directing 1981’s “On Golden Pond” has passed away at the age of 97.
Mark Rydell was born on March 23, 1929 in New York City. He passed away of natural causes on the morning of Friday, August 14. His two-time collaborator and showbusiness legend Bette Midler announced his passing to the 1.9 million followers on her Instagram account.
Rydell earned his only Best Director nomination for the aforementioned “On Golden Pond” (he lost out to Warren Beatty for his work on “Reds”). However, several of his movies received nominations in other categories. They were 1967’s “The Fox,” 1969’s “The Reivers,” 1973’s “Cinderella Liberty,” 1979’s “The Rose,” 1984’s “The River,” and 1991’s “For the Boys.” “On Golden Pond” received 10 nominations in total, winning three, which was the most nominations and wins of any of his films.
The filmmaker’s extensive career also included some television work and some acting credits.
Mark Rydell Had an Extensive Career
GettyThe career of Mark Rydell goes all the way back to the 1950s and began in the television world.
His television credits include directing episodes of “The Phil Silvers Show,” “Mr. Novak,” “Ben Casey,” “The Reporter,” “Slattery’s People,” “I Spy,” “The Wild Wild West,” “The Long, Hot Summer,” “The Fugitive,” “Gunsmoke,” “Family,” “Crime of the Century,” and the failed pilot of “McBride and Groom.” He also directed the television movies “Crime of the Century” and “James Dean.”
In terms of the big screen, his entire directorial back catalog comprises 1967’s “The Fox,” 1969’s “The Reivers,” 1972’s “The Cowboys,” 1973’s “Cinderella Liberty,” 1976’s “Harry and Walter Go to New York,” 1979’s “The Rose,” 1981’s “On Golden Pond,” 1984’s “The River,” 1991’s “For the Boys,” 1994’s “Intersection,” and “Even Money.”
As an actor, Rydell appeared in several movies. They were 1956’s “Crime in the Streets,” 1973’s “The Long Goodbye,” 1988’s “Punchline,” 1990’s “Havana,” 2000’s “A Man Is Mostly Water,” 2002’s “Hollywood Ending,” and 2020’s “Senior Entourage.”
Following Bette Midler’s announcement of his passing, tributes to Rydell poured in online.
Bette Midler Called Rydell ‘The Actor’s Whisperer’
Bette Midler’s announcement of Mark Rydell’s passing included a carousel of four photographs. They included three pictures of Rydell, one of which is with Midler. The final picture is of Midler alone on the set of one of Rydell’s films.
Midler’s lovely tribute on her post reads, “Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, The Rose, died this morning. He was an actor of note before he became a director, and I was so lucky to have met him when I did; he taught me so much on The Rose and later on For The Boys. Two Oscars nominations both because of him. He was the actor’s whisperer; just a few words was all it took to understand what was needed. Devoted to Meisner. So many happy memories. RIP.”
Midler’s followers responded in their droves.
Many Others Paid Tribute to Rydell
GettyComments on Midler’s post included one from one of Midler’s followers who wrote, “He was so kind and lovely when I did the story about you for VF – Ernest Thompson was just in Ptown for an evening we did together for the Arts Society there and told several lovely stories about him On Golden Pond and later told me about visiting Mark where he was then residing and shared photos of them in his room . He was still handsome and smiling and glowing with that kindness . May the kindness ever glow. Sending you lots of love, Bette, from Tangier.”
Another follower wrote, “He also directed On Golden Pond, a film very dear to my heart. My condolences to you. The man was a visionary.”
Someone else said, “My deepest condolences. It was my late husbands and mine first date and our daughter’s middle name is Rose after it. It will always hold a special place in my heart and you were phenomenal in it. I was blessed to meet the writer of the song Amanda McBroom recently.❤️”
Another Instagram user simply wrote, “RIP 🙏 📿 Mark Rydell. 🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏👏”
One person commented, “Sorry to hear the sad news, such a talent. The Rose and For The Boys both excellent and 2 of my favorites. ❤️”
But tributes weren’t limited to Midler’s post, or indeed to Instagram. Over on X, an X user wrote, “You wouldn’t think a preteen boy would be taken with a film about a middle-aged love triangle, but I saw INTERSECTION in the theater at 12 and it affected me so deeply I bawled the whole way home. A film fan grew into a cinephile that night. RIP, director Mark Rydell. 💔”
Another individual on X said, “R.I.P. Mark Rydell. I just recently rewatched THE LONG GOODBYE and realized he played the gangster. Turns out he was a good actor, too!”
Rydell’s Family
Rydell had been married and divorced twice. According to Variety, he is survived by three children, Amy, Christopher, both actors; and Alexander, an editor.
We’d like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mark Rydell. May his memory be a blessing and may he rest in eternal peace.
Mark Rydell’s filmography and some personal info were courtesy of IMDb.
