Movies

Ted Kotcheff, Director of Rambo’s Debut, Dies at 94 in Mexico

BBG News

Ted Kotcheff, director of First Blood and Weekend at Bernie’s, has passed away at 94. 

On Friday, the renowned Canadian director who initially brought Sylvester Stallone’s character John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran, to the big screen in the 1982 movie “First Blood,” has sadly passed away.

In Hospital Joya, Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico, Kotcheff passed away, with his loved ones by his side. His son Ted shared the news with TMZ.

The family has not disclosed the cause of death at this time. 

Additionally, Kotcheff is recognized for having directed films like “Fun With Dick and Jane,” “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,” and served as the executive producer for a staggering 13 seasons of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

He’s primarily recognized for the role he played in selecting Sylvester Stallone as Rambo, a tormented war veteran who instigates guerrilla warfare in a peaceful Pacific Northwest town following conflicts with local law enforcement. Despite the series’ prosperity, Kotcheff declined to be involved in any subsequent installments.

In essence, the film “First Blood” solidified Sylvester Stallone’s status as a lasting American action legend, offering him yet another memorable character, joining the ranks of Rocky Balboa.

The film also became Kotcheff’s biggest box office hit.

Made for around $16 million, First Blood grossed more than $125 million worldwide. 

2019 saw the release of the latest installment in a popular action series, which started with a film that ended up being the 13th highest-grossing movie of its year, sparking off a franchise that currently has four sequels under its belt.

However, Kotcheff chose not to be involved with the sequels.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “In a 2016 conversation with Filmmaker magazine, I recall being presented with the opportunity to create a sequel. Upon reading the script, I found a striking contrast between the original and the proposed continuation – while the first film didn’t feature any killings, the sequel had my protagonist taking the lives of 75 individuals.

It appeared as if it was honoring the Vietnam War, a conflict I believe was among the most senseless wars ever waged.

55,000 young Americans lost their lives, and an alarming number of veterans took their own lives. Such devastating images are beyond my capacity to create. Admittedly, had I pursued the opportunity, I could be a wealthy individual today, as that sequel earned $300 million in profits, he noted.

In 1985, the second installment of the Rambo series, titled “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” hit the screens. This was followed by “Rambo III” in 1988, another film in the franchise called simply “Rambo” in 2008, and most recently, “Rambo: Last Blood” in 2019.

Born William Theodore Kotcheff in Toronto, the filmmaker was the son of Bulgarian immigrants.

He graduated from University College, University of Toronto, with a degree in English Literature.

At age 24, Kotcheff began his TV journey with the young Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In my zealous enthusiasm, I, for two unforgettable years, immersed myself in the world of early TV as the youngest director at the CBC. During this period, I had the privilege of shaping iconic shows such as General Motors Theatre, Encounter, First Performance, and On Camera.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I packed my bags and ventured across the pond to the vibrant heart of cinematic arts – the United Kingdom. Once settled, I seized the opportunity to make my mark in the industry and, in 1962, I stepped into the director’s chair for the very first time with the charming comedy Tiara Tahiti.

He broke through to the mainstream with Australian thriller Wake in Fright (1971).

Afterward, he also worked on the 1974 film “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,” where Richard Dreyfuss played a leading role.

The movie garnered the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and was nominated for the best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. This significant recognition catapulted Kotcheff’s career towards the American film industry.

In a natural and easy to read way, Kotcheff achieved Hollywood success with hit movies such as “Fun With Dick and Jane” (1977) starring George Segal and Jane Fonda, and the football drama “North Dallas Forty” (1979), featuring Nick Nolte.

After directing a movie focused on Vietnam, titled “Uncommon Valor” in 1983, which was led by the late Gene Hackman, Kotcheff then moved towards comedy and achieved success again with the release of “Weekend at Bernie’s” in 1989.

After directing a movie about Vietnam (Uncommon Valor) in 1983, starring Gene Hackman, Kotcheff switched to making comedies and had another hit with Weekend at Bernie’s, which came out in 1989.

In this rephrased version, the movie centers around characters portrayed by Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman, who find themselves in an unusual situation – manipulating the body of their deceased boss. Remarkably, this unconventional plot sparked a sequel in 1993; however, Andrew McCarthy opted not to be part of it.

In the year 1960, Kotcheff wed British actress Sylvia Kay. Together they welcomed three children prior to their separation in 1972. Sylvia Kay, known for her role in Wake in Fright, passed away in January 2019 at the age of 82.

Later on, he tied the knot again with Laifun Chun, who went on to be his collaborative producer in numerous ventures. Together they welcomed two kids, Thomas and Alexandra.

Despite a decline in his film directing during the 1990s, Kotcheff moved on to consistent television work, taking up the role of director for TV movies and serving as an executive producer for Law & Order: SVU for more than a decade.

In 2011, the Director’s Guild of Canada bestowed upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award as recognition for his work. Additionally, he was awarded a BAFTA prize in 1972 for directing “Edna, the Inebriate Woman.

I’m excited to share with you that a captivating documentary about my life, titled “The Apprenticeship of Ted Kotcheff,” is currently in production. Noted actor Richard Dreyfuss will be our insightful narrator, guiding us through the various stages and lessons learned during my career as a filmmaker. This promises to be an enlightening journey, offering a unique perspective on my life’s work and the insights I’ve gained along the way. Stay tuned for more updates!

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2025-04-12 02:50

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