Albert S. Ruddy facts for kids

Albert Stotland Ruddy (born March 28, 1930 – died May 25, 2024) was a famous Canadian-American film and television producer. He was known for creating some of the most iconic movies and TV shows. He won two Best Picture Oscars for The Godfather (1972) and Million Dollar Baby (2004). He also helped create the popular TV show Hogan's Heroes (1965–1971).

Early Life and First Steps

Albert S. Ruddy was born in Montreal, Canada, and grew up in New York City and Miami Beach, Florida. He went to Brooklyn Technical High School. Later, he earned a scholarship to study chemical engineering at City College of New York. In 1956, he graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in architectural design. While at USC, he got his first taste of the movie world. He helped design a monster for a film called The Beast with a Million Eyes (1955).

A Career in Entertainment

Ruddy first worked designing homes. This led him to meet Jack L. Warner, a big boss at Warner Brothers studio. Warner was impressed by Ruddy's passion for movies and offered him a job in Los Angeles.

After a short time at Warner Brothers, Ruddy became a writer at Universal Studios. He then left to produce his first film, Wild Seed (1965).

Creating TV Hits

Ruddy then co-created Hogan's Heroes, a TV show that aired on CBS from 1965 to 1971. This show was very popular and ran for six seasons. As the show was ending, Ruddy went back to making movies. He produced two comedies: Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) and Making It (1971).

The Godfather and Oscar Wins

In 1972, Ruddy produced The Godfather. This movie was based on a book by Mario Puzo. It became a huge success and is still considered one of the best films ever made. The Godfather was nominated for many awards and won three Academy Awards. One of these was Ruddy's first Oscar for Best Picture.

In 1974, Ruddy produced The Longest Yard. This film was a big financial success. It was later remade twice, and Ruddy was involved as an executive producer for both remakes.

The next year, Ruddy produced Coonskin (1975). This film was quite controversial at first. However, it later gained praise from critics.

In 1976, he produced a TV movie called The Macahans. This movie later became the TV series How the West Was Won (1977–1979).

More Big Movies and TV Shows

For a while, Ruddy tried to make a movie based on the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. He bought the rights to the book in the 1970s, but the movie never got made at that time.

Ruddy then worked with Golden Harvest, a film company from Hong Kong. He produced The Cannonball Run (1981), which was a huge hit at the box office. This movie featured many famous actors, including those from the "Rat Pack." He also produced action films like Death Hunt (1981) and Megaforce (1982). Ruddy returned to produce Cannonball Run II (1984), which was another success.

In 1985, Ruddy started his own company, Ruddy Morgan Organization. They produced many films, including Impulse (1990).

In the early 1990s, he helped create the very popular TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. He also tried to make a James Bond TV show in 1992, but it was blocked by the company that owns the Bond films.

In 2004, Ruddy produced Million Dollar Baby. This film earned him his second Oscar for Best Picture. He shared the award with Clint Eastwood. It was a special moment because Eastwood had given Ruddy his first Best Picture Oscar for The Godfather many years earlier.

In 2015, it was announced that Ruddy had again gotten the rights to Atlas Shrugged and planned to make a movie. In 2021, his daughter, Alexandra Ruddy, joined his production company.

Personal Life

Albert Ruddy was married twice. His first wife was Francoise Ruddy. He later married Wanda McDaniel, and they had two children together. Wanda is an executive for the famous Italian designer Giorgio Armani.

In 2022, a TV show called The Offer was made. It tells the story of how The Godfather was created. Ruddy was an executive producer for this show, and he was played by actor Miles Teller.

Albert Ruddy passed away on May 25, 2024, at the age of 94.

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

As writer

Art director

Soundtrack

Thanks

Television

As writer

Miscellaneous crew

As an actor

Thanks

Awards

• Won: 1973 Academy Award for Best Picture: The Godfather
• Won: 1973 David di Donatello for Best Foreign Film: The Godfather
• Won: 1973 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama: The Godfather
• Won: 1975 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: The Longest Yard
• Nomination: 1983 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture: Megaforce
• Nomination: 1984 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture: Cannonball Run II
• Nomination: 1985 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay: Cannonball Run II (with Hal Needham and Harvey Miller)
• Won: 2005 Academy Award for Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby

See also

In Spanish: Albert S. Ruddy para niños

• Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood