Mark Rydell, the director behind the Oscar-winning film On Golden Pond, has died at the age of 97. Bette Midler announced his passing on social media, reflecting on the long collaboration that began with her debut film, The Rose.
Rydell built a career that moved across artistic disciplines. Born in the Bronx in 1929, he initially focused on music, studying piano at Juilliard and finding work as a jazz musician during the 1950s. He later changed paths after witnessing the prevalence of drug use among his musical peers, eventually turning his attention to acting. He earned his start in television, appearing on soap operas like As the World Turns, and he secured notable film roles, including the mobster Marty Augustine in Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye.
He eventually shifted into directing. Rydell viewed his role as a director as a paternal responsibility, a perspective he attributed to raising his own children. He applied this leadership style to various projects, beginning with television episodes for programs such as Gunsmoke and The Wild Wild West, before establishing himself in cinema. His work with Midler on The Rose and later on For The Boys left a mark on his filmography, grounded by his transition from performer to director.