Cliff Notes – Oscar-winning Kramer vs. Kramer director Robert Benton dies aged 92
- Robert Benton, acclaimed director of Kramer Vs Kramer, passed away at the age of 92, confirmed by his assistant Marisa Forzano.
- Benton won five Academy Awards for Kramer Vs Kramer and an Oscar for Places in the Heart, co-writing notable films like Bonnie & Clyde and Superman.
Oscar-winning Kramer Vs Kramer director Robert Benton dies aged 92
Robert Benton, the director of the award-winning 70s classic Kramer Vs Kramer, has died aged 92.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his assistant and manager Marisa Forzano, as told to the New York Times
The late filmmaker is best remembered for Kramer Vs Kramer which scooped up five Academy Awards, including a win for lead stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.
He also landed an Oscar for 1984’s Places in the Heart as well as co-writing huge hits such as 1967’s Bonnie & Clyde and 1978’s Superman starring Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent.
Benton was born Waxahachie, Texas during the Depression and landed a job at Esquire in his 20s.
He eventually developed an avid fascination with the notorious 20s criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde leading to his iconic first screenplay written with longtime collaborator David Newman.
He co-wrote major movies like 1978’s Superman
The move went on to secure eight Oscar nominations, foreshadowing an acclaimed career.
Newman and Benton, who had known each other from Esquire went on to write more movies together such as What’s Up, Doc?.
Speaking about the partnership in an interview, Benton once said: ‘I had been working as an art director at Esquire and I got fired.
‘I decided to write a screenplay. I am dyslexic. I cannot spell or punctuate. I knew a young editor at Esquire, a wonderful writer, David Newman. I sold him on the glamorous life of the Hollywood screenwriter.’
During the span of his decades-long career he only directed 11 movies such as 1998 noir thriller Twilight and 1994’s Nobody’s Fool.
His last movie was The Feast of Love in 2007 – a romantic comedy starring Morgan Freeman.
Tributes are beginning to come in from those impacted by Benton’s work.
‘What a loss. A great filmmaker. Rest in peace, Robert Benton,’ Jay Bobbin wrote on X.
‘Rip Robert Benton director of two of my favourite movies,’ Amir echoed.
FIlmmaker Whit Stillman called his ‘one of the greats’.
In an interview with Box Office Mojo in 2003, towards the end of his career, he reflected on his time in the film industry.
During the chat he explained how he came about co-writing Superman.
‘I had sold The Late Show [script] to [Robert] Altman…. [Newman and I] were making very little money, I had a family, and David and I were offered [the chance to write] Superman.
‘The initial script that David and I did was based on the [The Godfather’s Mario] Puzo story. It was Superman on the farm, and we also wrote some of the stuff where he first rescues Lois Lane.
‘David wrote one of the movie’s best lines, when Lois is [literally swept off her feet for the first time by Superman] and says: “I know you’re holding me but who’s holding you?” That was David Newman’s line.’
Other Hollywood A-Listers Benton has worked with over the years include Nicole Kidman, Sally Field, Anthony Hopkins and Bruce Willis.
His wife of 60 years, Sallie Benton died in 2023. He is survived by their son, John. He was working on a memoir at the time of his death.
