Bummer: Director John Schlesinger Taken Off Life Support

devilpants · 07-25-03, 11:12 AM

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.

*****************************

That's a shame. I thought Day of the Locust was a brilliantly directed movie.

Dr. DVD · 07-25-03, 11:32 AM

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.

TeeSeeJay · 07-25-03, 11:51 AM

Quote:

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.

Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie

Trigger · 07-25-03, 12:03 PM

two threads on this...

AGuyNamedMike · 07-25-03, 12:08 PM

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.

eedoon · 07-25-03, 03:31 PM

El-Kabong · 07-25-03, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TeeSeeJay
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie

You're right - Transformers totally owned Citizen Kane. Black and white? Mono? How can that possibly stack up against giant alien robots that turn into guns and stuff!

Numanoid · 07-25-03, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TeeSeeJay
Could have been worse. He could have started with Citizen Kane and ended with Transformers: The Movie

No, a Madonna movie is definitely worse.

Geofferson · 07-25-03, 10:40 PM

very sad

07-25-03, 11:12 AM	#1
devilpants DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hollywood Posts: 1,310	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. *************************** That's a shame. I thought Day of the Locust** was a brilliantly directed movie.

07-25-03, 11:32 AM	#2
Dr. DVD DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 13,312	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. __________________ “The time will come, the election will come, when your work and your ballots will change the world, and it’s worth fighting for,” -John Kerry's concession speech

07-25-03, 12:03 PM	#4
Trigger DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 23,348	two threads on this... __________________ Trust is giving somebody the opportunity to disappoint you Trigger I live in exile of you, your key no longer fits, because the locks on my life are new Rise Against Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence? Sai Baba

07-25-03, 12:08 PM	#5
AGuyNamedMike DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska! Posts: 13,249	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. __________________ “I'M YOU FROM THE FUTURE! I'VE COME BACK IN TIME TO WARN YOU OF THE DANGERS OF MYSPACE!” - HollaDaddy

07-25-03, 10:40 PM	#9
Geofferson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: TechNoir Posts: 32,266	very sad __________________ “Are we having fun yet?" Henry Pollard, Party Down

07-25-03, 03:31 PM	#6
eedoon DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: On the penis chair Posts: 5,158