Richard C. Sarafian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard C. Sarafian
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| Born |
Richard Caspar Sarafian
April 28, 1930 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | September 18, 2013 (aged 83) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation | Film director, writer, actor |
| Years active | 1952–2007 |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Joan Altman |
| Children | 5, including Deran and Tedi |
Richard Caspar Sarafian (born April 28, 1930 – died September 18, 2013) was an American film director, actor, and writer. He had a long career in Hollywood that lasted over 50 years! He is most famous for directing the 1971 movie Vanishing Point and a classic episode of The Twilight Zone called "Living Doll".
Contents
Richard Sarafian's Early Life and Career
Richard Sarafian was born in New York City, New York on April 28, 1930. His parents were immigrants from Armenia. He first studied law and medicine at New York University, but he wasn't a very good student in those subjects.
He then decided to study film, and he was great at it! He left college to join the United States Army. During the Korean War (1950–1953), he worked as a reporter for an Army news service. While in Kansas City, Missouri, he met Robert Altman, who would also become a famous Hollywood director. They became good friends.
Starting in Television and Film
Sarafian worked with Robert Altman on industrial films, which are movies made for businesses. He also married Altman's sister, Helen Joan Altman. Richard even acted in a play that Altman directed in Kansas City.
His television career began in the early 1960s. He started as Altman's assistant. Soon, Sarafian began directing TV shows himself. In 1963, he directed one of his most famous works: the "Living Doll" episode of The Twilight Zone.
His first full-length movie as a director was Andy in 1965. His biggest success as a movie director was Vanishing Point. This movie was about a man driving a white Dodge Challenger car across the country very fast. Even though some critics didn't like it at first, it became a "cult hit," meaning many people loved it over time.
Directing and Acting Roles
Besides The Twilight Zone, Richard Sarafian directed episodes of other popular TV shows. These included classic Westerns like Gunsmoke and the superhero show Batman.
He directed many other movies too. Some of these include Run Wild, Run Free (1969), Man in the Wilderness (1971), and The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973).
Sarafian also had a career as an actor. He played a gangster in the 1991 movie Bugsy. He was also a hitman in Bulworth (1998). In 2001, he even voiced an animated character called God Beaver in the movie Dr. Dolittle 2. On TV, he was a regular actor on the sitcom Foley Square (1985-1986), where he played a coffee shop owner.
Richard Sarafian's Family Life
Richard Sarafian and Helen Altman Sarafian were married, then divorced, and later remarried. Helen passed away in 2011. They had five children together. Some of their children also work in the film industry, including actor Richard Sarafian Jr., actor and director Deran Sarafian, special effects expert Damon B. Sarafian, and screenwriter Tedi Sarafian. Their daughter is Catherine Sarafian.
Later Years and Passing
Richard Sarafian passed away on September 18, 2013, in Santa Monica, California. He was 83 years old. He died from pneumonia, which he got while recovering from a broken back.
Filmography
Richard Sarafian worked on many films and TV shows. Here are some of the projects where he was an actor or a director.
Actor
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | The Magic Bond | Short film | |
| 1976 | The Next Man | Gregory Zolnikov | uncredited/also director |
| 1984 | Songwriter | Rodeo Rocky | |
| 1986 | Alien Predator | Capt. J.J. Wells | voice, uncredited |
| 1987 | Street Justice | Taxi Driver | also director |
| 1989 | To Die For | Bartender | |
| 1991 | Bugsy | Jack Dragna | |
| 1992 | Ruby | Proby | |
| 1994 | Gunmen | Chief Chavez | |
| 1994 | Roadflower | Trucker | |
| 1995 | Don Juan DeMarco | Detective Sy Tobias | |
| 1995 | The Crossing Guard | Sunny Ventura | |
| 1996 | Bound | Gino Marzzone | |
| 1998 | Bulworth | Vinnie | |
| 1999 | Blink of an Eye | Erlik | |
| 1999 | Blue Streak | Uncle Lou | |
| 2000 | Picking Up the Pieces | Wino | |
| 2001 | Dr. Dolittle 2 | God Beaver | voice |
| 2002 | Hitters | ||
| 2003 | Masked and Anonymous | President | |
| 2007 | Reeling | Teeth | voice, short film |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–1986 | Foley Square | Spiro Papadopolis | 14 episodes |
| 1986 | Long Time Gone | Omar | television film |
| 1986 | Liberty | Philbert Evans | television film/also director |
| 1989 | Wiseguy | episode: "Le Lacrime D'Amore: Part 2" | |
| 1990 | MacGyver | Caspar Kasabian | episode: "Bitter Harvest" |
| 1996 | Miami Hustle | Henry Kronfeld | television film |
| 1996 | Gotti | Paul Castellano | television film |
| 1997 | Michael Hayes | Restaurant Owner | episode: "Retribution" |
Director
Film Direction
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Terror at Black Falls | also producer and writer |
| 1965 | Andy | also producer and writer |
| 1969 | Run Wild, Run Free | |
| 1970 | Fragment of Fear | |
| 1971 | Vanishing Point | |
| 1971 | Man in the Wilderness | |
| 1973 | The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing | |
| 1976 | The Next Man | also writer |
| 1979 | Sunburn | |
| 1981 | Gangster Wars | |
| 1984 | The Bear | |
| 1986 | Eye of the Tiger | |
| 1987 | Street Justice | |
| 1990 | Solar Crisis | credited as Alan Smithee (a name used when a director doesn't want their real name on a film) |
Television Direction
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Maverick | episode: "The Forbidden City" |
| 1961 | Bronco | episode: "Guns of the Lawless" |
| 1961 | Surfside 6 | episode: "Count Seven!" |
| 1961 | The Roaring 20's | episode: "Blondes Prefer Gentlemen" |
| 1961–1962 | Lawman | 22 episodes |
| 1961–1962 | Cheyenne | 2 episodes |
| 1962 | Hawaiian Eye | 2 episodes |
| 1962–1963 | The Dakotas | 3 episodes |
| 1962–1963 | The Gallant Men | 9 episodes |
| 1962–1963 | 77 Sunset Strip | 3 episodes |
| 1963 | Redigo | episode: "Lady War-Bonnet" |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure | episode: "Six Wagons to the Sea" |
| 1963 | The Twilight Zone | episode: "Living Doll" |
| 1963 | Bonanza | episode: "The Waiting Game" |
| 1963–1965 | Ben Casey | 3 episodes |
| 1964 | Dr. Kildare | episode: "An Exchange of Gifts" |
| 1965 | Slattery's People | 4 episodes |
| 1965 | The Wild Wild West | 2 episodes |
| 1965 | Convoy | episode: "Lady on the Rock" |
| 1965 | The Long, Hot Summer | episode: "Home Is a Nameless Place" |
| 1965 | The Big Valley | episode: "Winner Lose All" |
| 1965 | The Wackiest Ship in the Army | episode: "The Stowaway" |
| 1965–1968 | Gunsmoke | 4 episodes |
| 1966 | The Trials of O'Brien | episode: "Alarums and Excursions" |
| 1966 | Batman | 2 episodes |
| 1966 | Jericho | 5 episodes |
| 1966 | The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. | episode: "The Romany Lie Affair" |
| 1966–1968 | I Spy | 8 episodes |
| 1967 | Iron Horse | episode: "Consignment, Betsy the Boiler" |
| 1967 | The Guns of Will Sonnett | 3 episodes |
| 1967 | Cimarron Strip | episode: "The Battle of Bloody Stones" |
| 1967–1968 | The Danny Thomas Hour | 2 episodes |
| 1968 | Premiere | |
| 1968 | Shadow on the Land | television film |
| 1975 | One of Our Own | television film |
| 1975 | Doctors' Hospital | episode: "One of Our Own" |
| 1977 | The African Queen | television film |
| 1977 | A Killing Affair | television film |
| 1979 | Disaster on the Coastliner | television film |
| 1980 | The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story | television film |
| 1981 | The Gangster Chronicles | television miniseries/13 episodes |
| 1981 | Splendor in the Grass | television film |
| 1981 | Shannon | 2 episodes |
| 1982 | The Mississippi | episode: "The Mississippi" |
| 1985 | Wildside | 3 episodes |
| 1986 | Liberty | television film |
| 1990 | Zorro | episode: "Zorro: The Legend Continues" (unaired TV pilot) |
Awards and Nominations
Richard Sarafian was recognized for his work in film.
- He was nominated for the Gold Hugo award for Best Feature Film at the Chicago International Film Festival for his movie The Next Man in 1976.
