---
name: "Richard Donner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/richard-donner"
fi1m_id: "richard-donner"
imdb_id: "nm0001149"
tmdb_id: 7187
wikidata_id: "Q262130"
roles: ["Director","Producer"]
born: "24 April 1930"
died: "5 July 2021"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "director"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-05T11:25:40.949647+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Richard Donner

## Identity

Richard Donner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/richard-donner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** richard-donner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001149
- **TMDB ID:** 7187
- **Wikidata ID:** Q262130
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Donner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262130, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001149/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7187

Director and producer. Born 24 April 1930 in Bronx, New York, USA. Died 5 July 2021.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Producer
- **Born:** 24 April 1930, Bronx, New York, USA
- **Died:** 5 July 2021
- **Active:** 1959–2009
- **Also known as:** Richard D. Schwartzberg, Richard D. Donner, R.D. Donner, Dick Donner, Richard Donald Schwartzberg
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 11 directing, 3 producing, 2 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Mel Gibson](https://film.one/person/mel-gibson.md), [Danny Glover](https://film.one/person/danny-glover.md), [Joel Silver](https://film.one/person/joel-silver.md), [Christian Nyby](https://film.one/person/christian-nyby.md), [Joe Pesci](https://film.one/person/joe-pesci.md), [Abner Biberman](https://film.one/person/abner-biberman.md), [Alex March](https://film.one/person/alex-march.md), [Allen Reisner](https://film.one/person/allen-reisner.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as director, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (1), 1960s 84 (1), 1970s 80 (1), 1980s 69 (6), 1990s 63 (4), 2000s 56 (2), 2020s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 62 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Genres:** Action 5, Crime 5, Drama 5, Comedy 4, Thriller 4, Mystery 3
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,315m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Donner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262130, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001149/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7187

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Maverick*](https://film.one/film/maverick.md) (64), [*The Toy*](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md) (46)
- **Tubi:** [*The Fugitive*](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md) (84)
- **Paramount+:** [*The Twilight Zone*](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Kojak*](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md) (80)
- **Peacock:** [*The Goonies*](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md) (76)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Richard Donner

> Richard Donner took unlikely adventures seriously and gave their people room to be awkward, excitable and funny. We rate his warmth and his trust in actors, though *The Goonies* shows how readily that freedom could become noise.

In *The Goonies* (1985), the children seem never to have settled who is allowed to speak. Richard Donner lets them interrupt and exasperate one another without making them behave better for the adults watching. The treasure map, caves and traps matter, but so does the impression that these children would be equally noisy with nothing much to do. We like him for taking their excitement seriously, even when we could do with a little less of it.

That willingness to believe in unlikely material runs through the career. *The Omen* (1976) established him in features, and *Superman* (1978) treated its superhero with dramatic seriousness rather than making him an excuse for parody. *Lethal Weapon* (1987) gave his interest in character relationships a buddy-cop pairing; he directed all four films in the series through 1998. His recurring collaborators included actor Mel Gibson and editor Stuart Baird. Later credits included *Maverick* (1994), with *16 Blocks* (2006) his final film.

In *The Goonies*, that attention to character comes down to the way he directs Sean Astin as Mikey. Astin treats the hunt with an earnestness that gives the others’ commotion a purpose, while Corey Feldman’s Mouth and Jeff Cohen’s Chunk keep the group from becoming too orderly. We grew fond of them because Astin made the adventure feel worth believing in, even while the shouting wore us down. Working from Steven Spielberg’s story and Chris Columbus’s screenplay, Donner leaves the children impatient and difficult rather than presenting a set of model explorers.

The cost is a film whose pacing wobbles and whose warmth can feel pressed upon us. Obstacles sometimes arrive too neatly, and a little less shouting would have helped. The familiar description of him as a dependable studio craftsman fits, though it gives too little credit to his handling of actors. Making these children appealing without making them polite takes judgement. For a family adventure, *The Goonies* remains a good place to start, provided a quiet evening is not the plan.

## Biography

Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg) was an American film director and producer. Born on 24 April 1930 in the Bronx, New York, he died on 5 July 2021 in Los Angeles, California. He began his career directing television episodes in the late 1950s and 1960s before moving to feature films.

Donner directed *The Omen* (1976) and the superhero film *Superman* (1978). He directed and produced *The Goonies* (1985) and directed and produced the first *Lethal Weapon* film (1987), going on to direct its three sequels. Other notable directorial credits include *Scrooged* (1988) and *Maverick* (1994).

With his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner, he ran The Donners' Company production firm. He also produced the *Free Willy* and *X-Men* film series and received the President's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films in 2000.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, hollywoodreporter.com.*

## On Fi1m (16)

### Directed (11) — the average rests on these

- *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), Fi1m 55, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md)
- *Maverick* (1994), Fi1m 64, as Dealer (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/maverick.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), Fi1m 64, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), Fi1m 74, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md)
- *Scrooged* (1988), Fi1m 66, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md)
- *Lethal Weapon* (1987), Fi1m 80, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon.md)
- *The Goonies* (1985), Fi1m 76, as Policeman (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)
- *The Toy* (1982), Fi1m 46, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md)
- *Kojak* (1973), Fi1m 80, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *The Fugitive* (1963), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md)
- *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md)

### Produced (3)

- *X-Men Origins: Wolverine* (2009), Fi1m 45, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-origins-wolverine.md)
- *X-Men* (2000), Fi1m 67, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men.md)
- *Free Willy* (1993), Fi1m 68, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/free-willy.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story* (2024), Fi1m 80, as Self (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/super-man-the-christopher-reeve-story.md)
- *Superman II* (1980), Fi1m 74, as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/superman-ii.md)

## Complete filmography (101)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics* (2013), Actor
- *X-Men Origins: Wolverine* (2009), Executive Producer — Fi1m 45, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-origins-wolverine.md)
- *Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut* (2006), as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited) · Director
- *16 Blocks* (2006), as Man Holding a Birthday Cake (uncredited) · Director
- *Timeline* (2003), as Man in Car (uncredited) · Director, Producer
- *Ritual* (2002), Producer
- *Out Cold* (2001), as Snooty Bartender (uncredited)
- *666: The Omen Revealed* (2000), Actor
- *X-Men* (2000), Executive Producer — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men.md)
- *Any Given Sunday* (1999), Executive Producer
- *Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection* (1999), Producer
- *Made Men* (1999), Producer
- *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), Director, Producer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md)
- *Double Tap* (1997), Producer
- *Conspiracy Theory* (1997), as Cab Passenger (uncredited) · Director, Producer
- *Free Willy 3: The Rescue* (1997), Executive Producer
- *Perversions of Science* (1997), series, Executive Producer
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Bordello of Blood* (1996), Executive Producer
- *Film Music Masters: Jerry Goldsmith* (1995), Actor
- *Assassins* (1995), Director, Producer
- *W.E.I.R.D. World* (1995), Executive Producer
- *The Omen* (1995), Executive Producer
- *The Omen* (1995), series, Executive Producer
- *Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home* (1995), Executive Producer
- *Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight* (1995), Executive Producer
- *Free Willy* (1994), series, Executive Producer
- *Maverick* (1994), as Dealer (uncredited) · Director, Producer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/maverick.md)
- *Free Willy* (1993), Executive Producer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/free-willy.md)
- *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor
- *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), Director, Producer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md)
- *Radio Flyer* (1992), Director
- *Two-Fisted Tales* (1992), Director, Executive Producer
- *Delirious* (1991), Executive Producer
- *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), Director, Producer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md)
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Man at Bar (uncredited) · Director, Executive Producer
- *Scrooged* (1988), Producer, Director — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md)
- *The Lost Boys* (1987), Executive Producer
- *Lethal Weapon* (1987), Director, Producer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon.md)
- *The Goonies* (1985), as Policeman (uncredited) · Director, Producer — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)
- *Ladyhawke* (1985), Director, Producer
- *The Toy* (1982), Director — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md)
- *The Final Conflict* (1981), Executive Producer
- *Inside Moves* (1980), as Man who closes the ambulance doors (uncredited) · Director
- *Superman II* (1980), as Man Walking by Diner (uncredited) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/superman-ii.md)
- *Superman* (1978), as Man in Street (extended version) (uncredited) · Director
- *The Omen* (1976), Director
- *Bronk* (1975), series, Director
- *Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic* (1975), Director
- *A Shadow in the Streets* (1975), Director
- *Petrocelli* (1974), series, Director
- *Sons and Daughters* (1974), series, Director
- *Lucas Tanner* (1974), Director
- *Senior Year* (1974), Director
- *Kojak* (1973), series, Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *Nightside* (1973), Director
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Director
- *Ghost Story* (1972), series, Director
- *Banyon* (1972), series, Director
- *The Marshal of Madrid* (1972), Director
- *Sam Cade* (1972), Director
- *Bearcats!* (1971), series, Director
- *Cannon* (1971), series, Director
- *Sarge* (1971), series, Director
- *The Interns* (1970), series, Director
- *Twinky* (1970), Director
- *The Bold Ones: The New Doctors* (1969), series, Director
- *Salt & Pepper* (1968), Director
- *Ironside* (1967), series, Director
- *Jericho* (1966), series, Director
- *Felony Squad* (1966), series, Director
- *It's About Time* (1966), series, Director
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, Director
- *Get Smart* (1965), series, Director
- *The Trials of O'Brien* (1965), series, Director
- *The Wild Wild West* (1965), series, Director
- *Gilligan's Island* (1964), series, Director
- *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Inebriate · Director
- *12 O'Clock High* (1964), series, Director
- *The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters* (1963), series, Director
- *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, Director
- *The Fugitive* (1963), series, Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md)
- *The Lieutenant* (1963), series, Director
- *Philbert (Three's a Crowd)* (1963), Director
- *The Eleventh Hour* (1962), series, Director
- *Combat!* (1962), series, Director
- *Sam Benedict* (1962), series, as Grover Stann · Director
- *X-15* (1961), Director
- *Route 66* (1960), series, Director
- *The Tall Man* (1960), series, Director
- *The Detectives* (1959), series, Director
- *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md)
- *The Rifleman* (1958), series, Director
- *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, Director
- *Perry Mason* (1957), series, Director
- *Wagon Train* (1957), series, Director
- *Have Gun, Will Travel* (1957), series, Director
- *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, Director
- *Lassie* (1954), series, as Clay Braddock
- *Letter to Loretta* (1953), series, Director
- *Lethal Weapon 5*, Screenplay

## Gallery

- ![Richard Donner](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-c04d50aee9b2.jpg) Richard Donner — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Richard_Donner_%284505771045%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Richard_Donner_%284505771045%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Houseman and director Richard Donner on a panel at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or ](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-45ffc3b962e4.jpg) John Houseman and director Richard Donner on a panel at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or  — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/John_Houseman_%26_Richard_Donner_%284505747163%29.jpg/1280px-John_Houseman_%26_Richard_Donner_%284505747163%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Houseman, center, and director Richard Donner, right, on a panel at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publi](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-36020dc80f46.jpg) John Houseman, center, and director Richard Donner, right, on a panel at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publi — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Panel_%284505741343%29.jpg/1280px-Panel_%284505741343%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Richard Donner photo (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-ee033126d674.png) Richard Donner photo (2006) — Tostie14, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Richard-Donner.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Richard Donner](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-46807df23753.jpg) Richard Donner — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Donner](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-39a4c35574d7.jpg) Richard Donner — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Donner](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-92954f652e5a.jpg) Richard Donner — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Donner e Bryan Singer al Comic-Con di San Diego 2006. Autore: Kevin Tostado Fonti: flickr.com](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-e038266e172f.jpg) Richard Donner e Bryan Singer al Comic-Con di San Diego 2006. Autore: Kevin Tostado Fonti: flickr.com — The original uploader was El Tarantiniese at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Richard_Donner%2C_at_Comic-Con_2006%2C_San_Diego.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Director Richard Donner at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but pl](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-72471bc47bd1.jpg) Director Richard Donner at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but pl — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Richard_Donner_%284505771045%29.jpg/1280px-Richard_Donner_%284505771045%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Richard Donner](https://film.one/media/person/118520/gallery-818d955640cc.jpg) Richard Donner — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Hugo Awards 1979: Best Dramatic Presentation (won), for *Superman*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/richard-donner