Bummer: Director John Schlesinger Taken Off Life Support
07-25-03, 11:12 AM
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Bummer: Director John Schlesinger Taken Off Life Support
PALM SPRINGS, California (AP) -- Ailing filmmaker John Schlesinger, the Oscar-winning director of "Midnight Cowboy," was taken off life support Thursday at a hospital here, his spokeswoman said.
The 77-year-old filmmaker suffered a debilitating stroke in December 2000. Spokeswoman Ronni Chasen said his condition at Desert Regional Medical Center has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks.
Schlesinger's last film was the 2000 comedy "The Next Best Thing" -- which starred Madonna as a straight woman who decides to have a child with her gay friend, played by Rupert Everett.
Born in London in 1926, Schlesinger was a character actor for stage, film and television and also made documentaries such as "Terminus," about a day in the life of a train station.
He is perhaps best known for the 1969 drama "Midnight Cowboy," which starred Jon Voight as a naive Texan who turns to prostitution to survive on the streets of New York, and Dustin Hoffman as the scuzzy, ailing vagrant Ratzo Rizzo.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three -- best director, best picture and best adapted screenplay.
Schlesinger had two other Oscar nominations for directing 1971's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and 1965's "Darling."
As an actor, he had small roles as a doctor in the 1997 TV movie "The Twilight of the Golds" and a prisoner in the 1956 World War II drama "The Battle of the River Plate."
Schlesinger lives in Palm Springs with photographer Michael Childers, his companion of 30 years.
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That's a shame. I thought Day of the Locust was a brilliantly directed movie.
The 77-year-old filmmaker suffered a debilitating stroke in December 2000. Spokeswoman Ronni Chasen said his condition at Desert Regional Medical Center has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks.
Schlesinger's last film was the 2000 comedy "The Next Best Thing" -- which starred Madonna as a straight woman who decides to have a child with her gay friend, played by Rupert Everett.
Born in London in 1926, Schlesinger was a character actor for stage, film and television and also made documentaries such as "Terminus," about a day in the life of a train station.
He is perhaps best known for the 1969 drama "Midnight Cowboy," which starred Jon Voight as a naive Texan who turns to prostitution to survive on the streets of New York, and Dustin Hoffman as the scuzzy, ailing vagrant Ratzo Rizzo.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three -- best director, best picture and best adapted screenplay.
Schlesinger had two other Oscar nominations for directing 1971's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and 1965's "Darling."
As an actor, he had small roles as a doctor in the 1997 TV movie "The Twilight of the Golds" and a prisoner in the 1956 World War II drama "The Battle of the River Plate."
Schlesinger lives in Palm Springs with photographer Michael Childers, his companion of 30 years.
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That's a shame. I thought Day of the Locust was a brilliantly directed movie.
07-25-03, 11:51 AM
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Originally posted by Dr. DVD
Dang, from an Oscar winner to having his last film be a Madonna flop.
This really is a tragedy. He made some solid movies in his time, including Marathon Man.
Dang, from an Oscar winner to having his last film be a Madonna flop.
This really is a tragedy. He made some solid movies in his time, including Marathon Man.
07-25-03, 12:08 PM
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I had the honor of meeting Mr. Schlesinger in '92 during a series of auditions for the film "The Innocent". He was friendly and professional in a quiet sort of way. My ex-wife, who actually got cast in the movie, said he was rewarding to work for, since he told you exactly what he wanted and settled for nothing less.
07-25-03, 06:26 PM
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Originally posted by TeeSeeJay
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie
07-25-03, 09:53 PM
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Originally posted by TeeSeeJay
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie
