Richard L. O’Connor, the Emmy-winning television producer and studio executive behind films including On Golden Pond, The Muppet Movie and Raise The Titanic, has died. He was 96, writes Deadline.
O’Connor died on 22 July in Palm Desert, according to his family. The cause of death was not disclosed.
A longtime resident of the Mendocino Coast, O’Connor earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program for producing the 1989 NBC television movie A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story, which starred Alfre Woodard.
Born in San Francisco on 7 January 1930, alongside his twin brother Don, O’Connor served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1950 to 1951.
After completing college, he began his Hollywood career by taking a job in the mail room at CBS Television City.
That first role marked the beginning of a four-decade career in the entertainment industry, where he worked as both a producer and studio executive.
During his career, O’Connor oversaw production on several notable films, including The Muppet Movie (1979), On Golden Pond (1981), Movie, Movie (1978), Friendly Fire (1979) and Raise The Titanic (1980).
As a producer, his television credits included projects such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Amerika, A Death in California, Fatal Vision and Angels in the Endzone.
O’Connor is survived by his wife Brona; daughters Kathleen, Triglia and Karen; stepchildren Kate, Marc and Matt; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
