Ronald B. Colby facts for kids

Ronald B Colby, born Ronald Blakeslee Colby on June 30, 1934, is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and author. He is known for his work as a producer and executive, especially with famous director Francis Ford Coppola. Colby has also directed several documentaries and written a novel.

Early Life and Education

Ronald Colby was born in Manhattan, New York. His parents, John Colby and Millicent Blakeslee, were both Vaudeville dancers. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts, like singing and dancing. His father, Jack Colby, performed in many places, including the famous Palace in New York City.

After high school, Ronald Colby joined the Air Force. Later, he went to college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Hofstra University. He then received a master’s degree in theater from New York University.

Family Life

Ronald Colby has two sons, Trevor and Dylan, from his first marriage to Patricia Lee. His second wife, Patricia Van Ryker, was a production designer and film producer. She passed away recently.

Career in Filmmaking

Ronald Colby has had a long and successful career in movies. Early on, the famous director Francis Ford Coppola invited him to join his company, American Zoetrope. There, Colby worked as a production executive and producer. This meant he helped manage the making of films.

Working with Francis Ford Coppola

Colby helped create many important films with Francis Ford Coppola. These movies include:

• You're a Big Boy Now
• Finian's Rainbow
• THX 1138
• The Rain People
• The Godfather Part II
• Hammett
• One from the Heart
• The Outsiders

He also worked on a documentary about how Francis Ford Coppola made his films.

Other Film Projects

Colby's work also includes films by director John Hughes, like Some Kind Of Wonderful and She's Having a Baby. He also worked on Exorcist and Harvest of Fire.

One notable project was Almost a Woman. This film was based on a popular book by Esmeralda Santiago. It won important awards, including a Peabody and an Imagen Award, for being the best feature film.

Directing Documentaries

In recent years, Ronald Colby has directed several documentaries. These films explore real-life stories and important topics.

• Pirate for the Sea: This film tells the story of Captain Paul Watson. He is a well-known environmental activist who works to protect the oceans. The documentary was first shown at The Telluride Film Festival. It has won many "Best Documentary" awards. It was even shown at a United Nations conference about climate change.

• Scotland’s Caddies: This documentary is about the people who carry golf clubs for players in Scotland. It is both informative and fun. Golfers and people who enjoy watching golf often like this film.

• ByUs: In 2018, Colby finished ByUs. He co-directed and produced this film with his late wife, Patricia Van Ryker. The documentary looks at how important small businesses are to the American economy. ByUs won an award for best film in the Economic Development Documentary category at The Bohemian Festival.

Authoring Books

In addition to his film work, Ronald Colby is also an author. In 2018, he released his first novel, "Night Driver." It was published by Rare Bird Books.