Al Ruddy was an Oscar-winning producer who won acclaim for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby.” He also co-created the TV shows “Hogan’s Heroes” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
- Died: May 25, 2024 (Who else died on May 25?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles at the age of 94.
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Al Ruddy’s legacy
Without Al Ruddy, a film widely regarded as one of the best ever made may not have seen the light of day. Born in Montreal and raised in New York and Florida, Ruddy first connected with the world of making movies while attending the University of Southern California when his girlfriend at the time helped him get a job as art director on the 1955 B film, “The Beast with a Million Eyes.” After a brief period at Warner Brothers and some time spent writing for television at Universal Studios, Ruddy co-produced the film “Wild Seed,” then helped co-create the sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes.” The show ended up being a big success, and as its six-season run waned, Ruddy returned to producing movies.
Ruddy was a champion of a film many in the industry thought would not succeed: 1972’s “The Godfather.” Though seen as a risk, it was nominated for 11 Oscars, with Ruddy winning one for Best Picture. (His role in helping bring the movie to the big screen was chronicled in the 2022 film, “The Offer,” in which Ruddy was portrayed by Miles Teller.) Two years after the renown of “The Godfather,” he produced the hit Burt Reynolds (1936– 2018) sports film, “The Longest Yard.” He worked with Reynolds again when he produced “The Cannonball Run” and “The Cannonball Run II.”
Ruddy won his second Oscar more than 30 years after his first, via “Million Dollar Baby,” the 2004 boxing blockbuster co-starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. He also helped create the television show, “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Notable Quote
“America needs the motion picture business, and the motion picture business needs the United States … The American Dream and what we all want, for me at least, is represented by this. It’s there for everybody if we want to work, dream and try to get it.” – Oscar acceptance speech, 1973
Tributes to Al Ruddy
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
