Tributes Pour In For Goonies, Lethal Weapon Director Richard Donner

Richard Donner, who made his name in Hollywood directing Superman (1978), The Goonies (1985), and the Lethal Weapon film series, passed away today at the age of 91.

Donner’s legacy as a director, as well as a producer of films such as The Lost Boys, Free Willy series, X-Men, and Any Given Sunday, is undisputed, and fans and former colleagues alike are letting the world know how much they appreciated him. Sean Astin, who played a leading role as Mikey in The Goonies, tweeted fond memories of working with Donner in the 1980s.

Richard Donner had the biggest, boomiest voice you could imagine.
He commanded attention and he laughed like no man has ever laughed before. Dick was so much fun. What I perceived in him, as a 12 year old kid, is that he cared. I love how much he cared.

– Goonies Never Say Die

— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) July 5, 2021

Steven Spielberg, who wrote and produced The Goonies, echoed Astin’s sentiments and gave his own thoughts on Donner’s personality in a statement via his production company, Amblin Entertainment.

“Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres. Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favorite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and—of course—the greatest Goonie of all. He was all kid. All heart. All the time. I can’t believe he’s gone, but his husky, hearty laugh will stay with me always.”

Kevin Smith, an accomplished director in his own right, tweeted and acknowledged the the impact Donner has had and will continue to have in the film industry with Superman and Lethal Weapon.

Richard Donner made the devil a child in The Omen, invented the modern day comic book movie with Superman, and reinvented the buddy cop movie with Lethal Weapon. I got to meet with him last year about a project. Guy was a natural born storyteller. Thanks for all the flicks, Dick! https://t.co/pjC9dbSkbt

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) July 5, 2021

Dan Slott, a famous comic book writer, also praised Richard Donner’s ingenuity in directing Superman.

Richard Donner’s SUPERMAN is the DNA, the fundamental building block, that all good super hero movies have been built from. It was the earnest leap of faith, the single bound, that made us all believe that a man could fly. https://t.co/I3hEJU9s2c pic.twitter.com/ev7Yb3lSHJ

— Dan Slott (@DanSlott) July 5, 2021

Donner was 91. No cause of death has been revealed.