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Oscar-winning Director Sydney Pollack Dead at 73
Sydney Pollack by Alexandra Wyman/ WireImage.com
Sydney Pollack — film director, sometime actor and an elder statesman of Hollywood — has died of cancer at age 73.
The Directors Guild of America issued a statement calling Pollack the "quintessential 'actor's director.'" Throughout his career, Pollack was known for huge hits such as Tootsie and Out of Africa, as well as less-lauded films like 1993's Havana. Most recently, Pollack appeared on-screen in Made of Honor (as Patrick Dempsey's father) and Michael Clayton, which he also produced.
Pollack's Clayton costar, George Clooney, expressed his condolences in a statement to the AP. "Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better," he said. "A tip of the hat to a class act. He'll be missed terribly."
Pollack's films were known as star-laden affairs, having included over the years everyone from Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford (The Way We Were) to Meryl Streep (in Out of Africa, which won seven Academy Awards out of 11 nominations), and Tom Cruise (The Firm).
In a statement to the AP, Cruise commented on his experiences with Pollack. "I first met him while he was in the midst of editing Tootsie," he said. "I'd seen every one of his pictures and he generously took the meeting.... He spent over six hours, with the patience of Job, answering all my questions."
Cruise continued, "Throughout the years, unpretentious and never condescending, he shared with me what he loved about family, storytelling, food, flying and a great bottle of vino. He was a Renaissance man and a great friend. I will miss him dearly."
Pollack's other recent productions include Cold Mountain and Sketches of Frank Gehry. He also occasionally appeared in TV shows, including Will & Grace, Entourage and The Sopranos.
On Monday, June 2, TCM will tribute Pollack with the following movies:
8 pm: The Slender Thread (1965)
10 pm: Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Midnight: Tootsie (1982)
2 am: Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
Pollack is survived by two daughters and his wife, Claire Griswold. – Anna Dimond
Use our Online Video Guide to see clips of Pollack's work and interviews.
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May 27, 2008 6:50 AM
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I loved him in Tootsie.
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May 27, 2008 10:14 AM
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Isn't he in one of those commercials about not interrupting the movie with cell phones they show before the movie?
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May 27, 2008 10:27 AM
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Very sad news. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
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May 27, 2008 10:28 AM
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This is so sad, and he was too young with so much to give as a director, producer and actor. RIP Sidney.
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May 27, 2008 11:57 AM
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Was so sorry to hear about Sydney. I always appreciated his movies and loved the fact, that he usually starred in them as well. He appeared to be a very sweet, sincere and well balanced man. He will be missed by me, and thousands more.
He was a fine actor, and a great director. Regretably, not many like him around anymore.
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May 27, 2008 12:02 PM
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One of the great directors of our time and not too bad an actor, either..
He passed way too young..
He will be sorely missed by all..
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May 27, 2008 12:23 PM
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I loved him in Tootsie, and Out of Africa and The Way We Were are 2 of my favorites.
RIP, Mr. Pollack.
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May 27, 2008 12:24 PM
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I was so shocked!! I guess he seemed as immortal as his movies. He always struck me as having a great happy soul. He will be missed by us mortals.
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May 27, 2008 12:32 PM
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So sad to hear of his passing. I loved the movie Sabrina. For anyone who hasn't seen the movie, I encourage you to watch it. The critics didn't like the movie but what do they know. It was a great movie. Rest in peace Mr. Sydney Pollack.
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May 27, 2008 12:33 PM
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He was fine as both director and supporting actor in Tootsie. And the fact he cast Bill Murray in it makes him way all right in my book!
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May 27, 2008 12:53 PM
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One of my favorite Directors!
The Good die Young....
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May 27, 2008 1:18 PM
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I was saddened to hear of Mr. Pollack's death. I didn't even know he was sick. I enjoyed him in Tootsie and Made of Honor. He seemed like a genuinely nice man and produced wonderful work. I will miss him. RIP Mr. Pollack, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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May 27, 2008 3:09 PM
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I thought Dustin Hoffman was in "Tootsie" not Bill Murray...I really liked Mr. Pollack. He was a class act!!!!!!
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May 27, 2008 10:08 PM
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>I thought Dustin Hoffman was in "Tootsie" not Bill Murray...
Patty, Bill played Dustin's friend, and he played it straight. They were both in Tootsie
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May 27, 2008 10:37 PM
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