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Richard Donner Biography

Birth Name:
Richard Donald Schwartzberg
Birth Place:
New York, New York, United States
Profession
Director, producer, writer

Fast Facts

  • Was the director of the first modern superhero film, Superman, in 1978
  • Human free-fall stunts became one of his trademark film features
  • While directing The Goonies, he makes an uncredited appearance on camera as one of the sheriffs as the Goonies exit the cave with the ship
  • Steven Spielberg threw a surprise wrap party for Donner at Donner's beach house in Hawaii with the entire cast of The Goonies after filming
  • Was given the President's Award by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films in 2000
  • Awarded his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a rare double ceremony with his wife, Lauren Shuler Donner in 2008
  • His 2010 authorized biography features a forward by Mel Gibson

Relationships