Mark Rydell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Rydell
Rydell in 2008
Born	Mortimer H. Rydell (1929-03-23) March 23, 1929 (age 96) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Spouse(s)	Joanne Linville ​ ​ (m. 1962; div. 1973)​ Esther Rydell ​ ​ (m. 1984; div. 2007)​
Children	3, including Christopher Rydell

Mark Rydell, born Mortimer H. Rydell on March 23, 1929, is a talented American director, producer, and actor. He has created many popular films and TV shows. Some of his well-known films include The Fox (1967), The Reivers (1969), and The Rose (1979). He was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for his work on On Golden Pond (1981).

Mark Rydell's Acting Career

Mark Rydell first studied music and wanted to be a conductor. He later decided to study acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

His first important acting roles were on TV shows. He played Walt Johnson on The Edge of Night. He also played Jeff Baker on As the World Turns from 1956 to 1962. His character, Jeff, was very popular with the audience. In 1961, while still on the show, he directed a play called Roots off-Broadway.

In 1962, Rydell chose not to sign a new long-term contract for As the World Turns. Because of this, the show's producers had his character die in a car crash. Later, he received praise for his role as Marty Augustine in Robert Altman's film The Long Goodbye (1973). His most recent major film role was in Woody Allen's movie Hollywood Ending (2002).

Directing Television Shows

Mark Rydell soon became very successful as a television director. He directed episodes for many TV series. These included Mr. Novak, Ben Casey, I Spy, and Gunsmoke.

He liked to spend a lot of time preparing for each project. He would discuss every detail of the story with the actors. This helped them understand their characters and feel comfortable before filming began.

Directing Feature Films

Rydell's first movie as a director was The Fox (1967). This film was a big success at the box office. He then directed Steve McQueen in The Reivers (1969). Rydell and his friend Sydney Pollack started a company together called Sanford Productions.

He directed John Wayne in the film The Cowboys (1972). He also made a romantic comedy called Cinderella Liberty (1973). This movie starred James Caan and Marsha Mason. Rydell worked with James Caan again on Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976). He also directed the first episode of the TV series Family (1976).

Rydell directed The Rose (1979), which starred Bette Midler. This movie was a huge hit. Another very successful film he directed was On Golden Pond (1981). This movie starred Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn. For On Golden Pond, Rydell was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director.

He later directed The River (1984), with Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek. His next film was For the Boys (1991), which again starred James Caan and Bette Midler.

Rydell also directed several TV movies. These included McBride and Groom (1993) and Crime of the Century (1996). He directed James Dean (2001), a TV movie about the famous actor. In this movie, Rydell also acted, playing Jack L. Warner. He was an executive producer for the film An Unfinished Life (2005).

In 2006, Rydell directed the movie Even Money. His most recent directing work was an episode of Masters of Science Fiction called "A Clean Escape" in 2007.

In 2010, Rydell joined the Advisory Board of Openfilm. This was an online video sharing site created to help new independent filmmakers. He was also an executive producer for the documentary A Coup in Camelot (2015).

Mark Rydell's Family Life

Mortimer H. Rydell was born on March 23, 1929, in New York City.

Rydell married actress Joanne Linville in 1962. They had two children, Amy and Christopher, who both became actors. Rydell and Linville divorced in 1973. Rydell later had another son, Alexander, from his second marriage to Esther Rydell. That marriage ended in 2007.

Filmography

As Director

Films Directed

• The Fox (1967)
• The Reivers (1969)
• The Cowboys (1972)
• Cinderella Liberty (1973)
• Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
• The Rose (1979)
• On Golden Pond (1981)
• The River (1984)
• For the Boys (1991)
• Intersection (1994)
• Even Money (2006)

Television Shows Directed

• The Phil Silvers Show (1955)
• Mr. Novak (1964)
• Ben Casey (1963–64)
• The Reporter (1964)
• Slattery's People (1965)
• I Spy (1965)
• The Wild Wild West (1966)
• The Long, Hot Summer (1965–66)
• The Fugitive (1966)
• Gunsmoke (1964–66)
• Family (1976)
• McBride and Groom (1993)
• Crime of the Century (TV movie) (1996)
• James Dean (TV movie) (2001)
• Masters of Science Fiction (episode "A Clean Escape") (2007)

As Actor

• Crime in the Streets (1956) as Lou Macklin
• The Long Goodbye (1973) as Marty Augustine
• Punchline (1988) as Romeo
• Havana (1990) as Meyer Lansky
• A Man Is Mostly Water (2000) as Distributor
• Hollywood Ending (2002) as Al
• Senior Entourage (2020) as Mark

Awards and Nominations

Mark Rydell's films have received many awards and nominations. The table below shows some of the major awards his directed films have been nominated for or won.

Actors Who Won or Were Nominated for Oscars Under Rydell's Direction

Mark Rydell has directed many actors who received Oscar nominations or wins.

See also

In Spanish: Mark Rydell para niños