R.I.P. Mark Rydell, Oscar-nominated director of On Golden Pond
The Oscar nominated director who began his career in the early days of TV was 97.
Mark Rydell, an Oscar-nominated actor and director who brought the film On Golden Pond to life, has passed away at the age of 97. Bette Midler, who starred in The Rose alongside Rydell, announced his death on Instagram, sharing her gratitude for his guidance and mentorship. Midler described Rydell as her "first film director," praising his ability to understand what was needed with just a few words.
Born in New York City in 1929, Rydell initially pursued music before transitioning to acting. His career started in the 1950s, with appearances on early TV shows such as Omnibus, The Philco Television Playhouse, and Kraft Mystery Theatre. Rydell later shifted his focus to directing TV shows like The Virginian, The Fugitive, and Gunsmoke before making his feature film debut in The Fox in 1967.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he directed notable films including On Golden Pond, which earned three Oscars for Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and the screenplay. Rydell worked with numerous Hollywood heavyweights, including Midler, the Fonda family, Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Elliot Gould, Michael Caine, Carole Kane, Sissy Spacek, Mel Gibson, James Caan, and Steve McQueen. He concluded his career in television, directing an episode of Masters Of Science Fiction in 2007.
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