Al Ruddy, the Academy Award-winning movie producer behind The Godfather has died as famous collaborators share their tributes.
Millions of movies have been made, so when thousands of viewers argue that one has earned the title of the greatest of all time more than any other, you’d best believe it’s something special. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, The Godfather‘s praises have been sung far and wide for decades. Phenomenal performances from Marlon Brando and Al Pacino helped make it all the more memorable, but one of the greatest heroes in the story of the film’s creation is Albert S. Ruddy, its Canadian-American producer. Tragically, news of his passing has emerged.
The Godfather producer Al Ruddy has died at 94
It was recently announced that Al Ruddy passed away at the age of 94 on Saturday, May 25th 2024. A family member detailed that he died at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center following a brief illness.
Immortalized by an inspiring career in both movies and TV, Al is best known as the sole producer on The Godfather, the crime drama epic that remains the gold standard of the gangster sub-genre.
Sure, the classic may have gone down as his greatest achievement, but it’s essential to note it was one of many achievements. He will also be remembered fondly as the co-creator of the show Hogan’s Heroes.
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After he won the Oscar for Best Picture as part of The Godfather team, he later went on to produce the unforgettable 2004 boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. Directed by Clint Eastwood—the legend who presented Al with his first Oscar, funnily enough—the film earned Al his second statue in the category.
This milestone of a producer earning multiple Best Picture Oscars is one only eight others have achieved, placing him in a very elite club.
Even then, it’s the tip of the iceberg. Audiences will look back and treasure his work on such films as Matilda, The Longest Yard, Cry Macho, and that’s before you get to his TV work including Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Offer, a 2022 mini-series starring Miles Teller as Al, chronicling the production and development of The Godfather.
Tributes for the star come from Clint Eastwood and others
Having won a Best Picture Oscar together and collaborated on the aforementioned 2021 western Cry Macho, it’s touching to see that the 93-year-old Clint has paid his respects.
“He was a great friend of mine and I will deeply miss him,” he shared in a statement.
Amongst other collaborators and admirers voicing their respect and appreciation for the industry legend was Miles, having portrayed him on screen only a few years ago.
“Albert S. Ruddy was the rare combination of a producer’s mind with an artist’s soul,” Miles praised on X/Twitter. “An unrelenting equal parts champion of both the talent in front of the screen and behind it… Al was always gracious with his time and his treasure trove of old Hollywood stories. Al lived a life many could only dream of and all would envy.”
Dexter Fletcher, the show’s director, also opened up about his love for the man: “Al was truly one of the great Hollywood mavericks. One of the last Mohicans who created great movies which still influence and inspire to this day… His was an incredible journey. Achieved through the sheer power of his determination, strong will, irrepressible energy and charm, and a rarely matched love for the art of film.”
Beyond big names, fans have also been penning their tributes. “You saved the American cinema too many times to count,” one tweeted. He will be missed, and his life never forgotten.
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