A CAREER TO ENVY

Every once in awhile, someone asks me, "If you could have the career of any director, who would you choose?" Without hesitation, I'd pick Richard Donner every day of the week that contains a vowel.

To many folks outside of Hollywood (and even some of the newer faces in it), Donner isn't a name that quickly comes to mind. He's not like Spielberg, Lucas, Kubrick, or Woody Allen - directors with huge followings. Donner never even won an Oscar (although he has a star on Hollywood Boulevard).

He was just a guy that directed movies and shows that people LOVED. Not only that, but supposedly, he was a nice guy. Not much controversy or gossip about him. And on top of all that, he was a master of pretty much EVERY genre. I mean, most directors are known for one kind of speciality. If they're lucky, maybe two. But Donner? Just look at this list of films and TV shows he directed. He was a master!

Superhero - Superman (the first and greatest superhero film)

Horror - The Omen

Fantasy - Ladyhawke

Holiday - Scrooged

Action - Lethal Weapon

Comedy - The Toy

Drama - Radio Flyer

Western - Maverick

TV Shows:

• The Banana Splits

• Get Smart

• The Twilight Zone

• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

• Gilligan's Island

• Perry Mason

• The Wild Wild West

• Kojak

• Tales from the Crypt

That's right! He even directed the freaking Banana Splits, and there are a ton of other movies and shows I haven't included on this list.

Richard Donner died this week at the age of 91. I would have had to start directing at the age of 16 in order to have a career half as full as his. His name may not top the list of many cinephiles, but it should. Donner forever!