Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Richard L. O'Connor Dies at 96 After Long Career in Film and Television

He spent decades managing the logistics and financing that brought major studio films and TV projects to screen.

Overview

  • O'Connor died on July 22 in Palm Desert, California, his family announced and they did not disclose a cause of death.
  • A funeral mass is set for August 8 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mendocino and the family suggested donations to the Motion Picture & Television Fund or the Marine Corps League Foundation.
  • He won an Emmy in 1990 for producing the NBC telefilm A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story and received additional Emmy nominations for other TV projects.
  • O'Connor built a four-decade career as an executive in charge of production with credits on films and TV including The Muppet Movie, On Golden Pond, Raise the Titanic and the miniseries Fatal Vision.
  • The credit 'executive in charge of production' reflects his role running budgets, schedules and day-to-day logistics on studio shoots rather than serving as a creative author of the films.