Richard Donner

Richard Donner was an American filmmaker.

A former actor from New York, Donner got his start in directing when he convinced Steve McQueen that he was up to the task of directing a 1960 episode of the CBS Western Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Donner helmed six episodes of CBS’ The Twilight Zone, all for the 1963-64 season. His first was the memorable “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” starring William Shatner as an airplane passenger who looks out a window and sees a creature on a wing.

Donner also directed episodes of such series as The Loretta Young Show, The Rifleman, Route 66, Have Gun — Will Travel, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Get Smart, Gilligan’s Island, The Fugitive, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, Kojak and Tales From the Crypt.

In films, Donner had his critical and commercial breakthrough with the horror film The Omen in 1976. He directed the landmark superhero film Superman in 1978.

Donner died July 5, 2021 in West Hollywood, California. He was 91.