Movies

Robert Benton, Oscar-winning ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ filmmaker and screenwriter, dies at 92

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The award-winning movie director and screenwriter, Robert Benton from Texas, who overcame the challenges of dyslexia during his childhood and later went on to create critically acclaimed films such as “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” has passed away.

John Benton, son of a renowned film director, announced that his father passed away on Sunday at their residence in Manhattan due to natural reasons. He was 92 years old.

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The renowned filmmaker, James Foley, who directed a variety of music videos for Madonna and notable shows like ‘House of Cards’ and the ‘Fifty Shades’ follow-ups, sadly passed away.

Robert Benton, from the mid-1960s to the early 2000s, gained prominence through works that delved into ordinary lives and relationships between family and society, such as the aftermath of a divorce in “Kramer vs. Kramer” and the impact of loss on a single mother in “Places in the Heart.” He earned seven Oscar nominations (including a joint one with late screenwriter David Newman for “Bonnie and Clyde”), winning three, including a directing award for “Kramer vs. Kramer.” In addition to this, he received writing Oscars for both “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Places in the Heart.

Notable actors such as Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Sally Field all experienced the prestige of winning Oscars for their roles in Benton’s films. Newman was even nominated for a lead actor award for his performance in “Nobody’s Fool,” while Hoffman and Streep each claimed their first Oscars due to their work in “Kramer vs. Kramer.” Field, meanwhile, won the lead actress accolade for her portrayal of single mother Edna Spalding in the movie set during the Great Depression, “Places in the Heart.

Field shared with The Times on Wednesday that he deeply cherished Robert Benton not just as an artist but as a person. He was exceptional in both his art and character, a rarity indeed. I count myself fortunate to have known him. There will never be another like him. May you find peace, Benton, if such a thing is possible.

His Oscar-nominated projects also include “Bonnie and Clyde,” “The Late Show” and “Nobody’s Fool.”

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For over four decades, Robert Benton’s remarkable understanding of human nature has proven to be a valuable asset – and continues to be so.

Born in Waxahachie, Texas, on September 29, 1932, Benton was affectionately referred to as one of the last great masters of humanist drama by a former Times film critic, Patrick Goldstein, in 2007. As a child, Benton faced difficulties with reading but found solace and extended focus through drawing, which he believed helped him reconnect with the world.

The roots of his love for storytelling through films can be found in his childhood movie outings with his dad. Reflecting on this in 2007, he simply said, “I found my passion as a storyteller while watching the stories unfold on screen.

This individual graduated from the University of Texas and Columbia University. From 1954 to 1956, they served in the U.S. Army. Prior to entering the entertainment world in 1964 with a short film titled “A Texas Romance, 1909”, they relocated to New York where they worked as an art director for Esquire magazine. During their time there, they collaborated with a former colleague and co-writer of “Bonnie and Clyde”, David Newman, on launching the Dubious Achievement Awards.

He shared with The Times that his experience in the editorial field helped him overcome some creative limitations, skills that proved useful in his future filmmaking work, particularly for the movie “Bonnie and Clyde.” This iconic film, released in 1967, was directed by Arthur Penn and featured Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in the lead roles as the notorious outlaw pair.

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Actress Ruth Buzzi, widely recognized for portraying a handbag-carrying spinster on ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’, passed away at her residence in Texas. She was 88 years old.

He mentioned that his time at Esquire helped him become more open-minded about sharing unconventional ideas or facing ridicule,” he said. “In essence, it encouraged him to let go and express himself freely.

Following the triumph – along with intense review by harsh violence – of “Bonnie and Clyde,” Benton launched his feature directorial career in 1972 with “Bad Company,” as per IMDb. He teamed up with David Newman again to pen the western script, featuring Jeff Bridges. Writing and directing films would prove profitable for Benton, who would go on to have both writing and directing credits for films such as “Still of the Night” (a collaboration with Streep), “Nadine,” “Nobody’s Fool” and “Twilight.

1979 saw the release of “Kramer vs. Kramer,” a movie based on Avery Corman’s novel with the same title. In this film, Hoffman played an advertising executive while Streep portrayed his former spouse. Their characters went through the challenges of divorce and its impact on their son who was still young.

Although frequently juggling multiple roles, Benton told The Times that he views himself as similar to Dracula, “leaving no trace in the mirror,” and stated that his identity is influenced by those he works with. Notable individuals he has collaborated with include Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell, and others.

Entertainment & Arts

As a devoted admirer, I’m saddened to share that Priscilla Pointer, the talented actress renowned for her work in ‘Dallas’, stage, and screen, passed away at the remarkable age of 100 on Monday. She was the proud mother of Amy Irving, who charmed us all in ‘Crossing Delancey’.

In the later stages of his life, Benton found it challenging to receive the same level of critical recognition that characterized his filmmaking journey. His final notable work, “Nobody’s Fool,” showcased Paul Newman as an aging miscreant and also featured Bruce Willis and Jessica Tandy. This production earned Newman his penultimate Oscar nomination. Interestingly, Benton himself was recognized for his exceptional work in adapting the screenplay.

2005’s Christmas action-comedy “The Ice Harvest” was the last screenplay credited to Benton, while “Feast of Love,” which featured Freeman and Mitchell, served as his final directorial endeavor. Prior to its release, Benton shared with The Times that he had adopted a more relaxed style in filmmaking.

In simpler terms, Benton expressed that as we age, life becomes more straightforward. Previously, he used to fret over many things, but now worries less. He’s come to understand that unexpected outcomes in the process can sometimes turn out to be superior to our initial plans.

In 1964, Benton wed artist Sallie Rendigs, following a brief relationship with writer-activist Gloria Steinem. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, she passed away in 2023 at the age of 88. Together they had one son.

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2025-05-15 00:01

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