Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Sydney Pollack 1934-2008

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-26-2008, 09:51 PM:

This is sad news indeed.

Link

Hollywood legend dies at 73

May 27, 2008 - 11:19AM

US actor and director Sydney Pollack has died at the age of 73, an agent says.

Pollack died of cancer at his home in Pacific Palisades today surrounded by his family, his agent Leslee Dart said.

Pollack's biggest success was the 1985 film Out of Africa starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, which won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture.

Pollack's other notable films include the comedy Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and the romantic film The Way We Were, which paired Redford and Barbra Streisand.

He also starred in George Clooney's film Michael Clayton, and took cameo acting roles in productions as diverse as The Player, The Sopranos, and most recently Made of Honor, but spent more time behind the camera directing, from TV's The Fugitive to cinema's The Interpreter.

He was executive producer of almost 50 films.

Pollack's illness came to public attention after he withdrew in August 2007 as the director an HBO television movie for unspecified health reasons. He was diagnosed with cancer about 10 months ago, Dart said, adding that doctors were never able to determine the primary source of the disease.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Services will be private, Dart said.

Posted by Shane Cooper (Member # 2510) on 05-26-2008, 10:24 PM:

One of my favorite directors and not a bad actor either. Plus, a fellow hoosier! A loss of a little bit of class.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-26-2008, 10:49 PM:

I'm pretty shocked to hear of Sydney Pollack's passing. Out of Africa is one of my mother's most favorite movies. He's one of the most important American film directors of modern times and not too bad an actor either. One of his best performances was in Eyes Wide Shut where he played a character pivotal in the film's plot.

Pollack worked as an executive producer on Recount, which debuted on HBO Sunday night.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-26-2008, 11:13 PM:

He was great in "Tootsie." And seemed like a decent guy off the set, too. R.I.P.

Posted by Mark Campbell (Member # 4411) on 05-26-2008, 11:17 PM:

Had the tremendous (and odd) experience of working down the hall from Mr. Pollack for a brief time in Santa Monica while he was editing a film in Santa Monica out of some rental production office space. He was just 2 doors down from me (I was working on something else) but we would always see each other in the hall, parking lot etc. He was always such a gracious gentlemen when amongst us ordinary folk. He and I even figured out how to keep a fire door open together (I know, exciting, huh). I never acknowledged who he was other then someone else working in the building, but he didn't seem to care. He seemed to have no ego despite all of his great accomplishments. This is very rare and says a lot. Especially since I wanted to gush about how much I admired him. He might have been fine with that too. So let me gush now. "Tootsie" was genius!

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-27-2008, 12:04 AM:

quote:
"Tootsie" was genius!

You got that right! [thumbsup]

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 05-27-2008, 12:04 AM:

Wow, this is sad news. I was channel surfing this morning and A Civil Action was on and Sydney Pollack was in it, and very good as he always seemed as an actor. I'm not ashamed to admit Out of Africa is one of *my* favorite films. Likewise Three Days of the Condor.

This man will deservedly be remembered as a true Hollywood legend.

EDIT: I had mis-spelled his last name. [Frown]

[ 05-27-2008, 09:44 AM: Message edited by: David Stambaugh ]

Posted by Mark Campbell (Member # 4411) on 05-27-2008, 12:13 AM:

I forgot to add that I finally saw "Jerimiah Johnson" for the first time last year and loved it. It should be on "The List" whenever anyone talks about the great movies of the '70's. Digital effects and projection etc. be damned! A great FILMmaker has left us!

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 05-27-2008, 02:06 AM:

Wow! Sad news indeed. I'm totally shocked! Another great legend moves on.

In addition to the films previously mentioned, I really enjoyed his acting in "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Death Becomes Her"... Great Stuff!

R.I.P. Mr. Pollack.

Posted by Brian D. Whitish (Member # 825) on 05-27-2008, 04:34 AM:

Wow I am completely stunned. He looked fine in Made Of Honor(not a very good movie but he was excellent, as always). What a great actor, director, producer. I didnt know that he was ill. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Brian

Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 05-27-2008, 11:34 AM:

This is too bad. THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? is one of my favorite movies.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-27-2008, 04:07 PM:

Tootsie