So sad to be gone all Memorial Day and come back to dozens of phone and email messages that Hollywood's great filmmaker Sydney Pollack has died after a long bout with cancer. I first heard about the seriousness of his illness when he went to Houston to seek powerhouse medical treatment. For the many months since then, every name in Hollywood made a pilgrimmage to sit with Sydney at his home. It was wonderful that he saw how many friends and admirers he had within the Industry.
I only just saw him in Michael Clayton the other day and was reminded how much talent he had. Sad.
Comment by Michael Dobrofsky — May 26, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Like Michael Dobrofsky said i also saw him in Michael Clayton.
I’m shocked to find out he had cancer.
Did it happen after shooting Michael Clayton,or was he
already sick during shooting.
I thought i was ok as a director,but i actually liked
him more as an actor believe it or not.
A great talent.
My condolances to his family and loved ones.
Comment by Socratores — May 26, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
Edit:Of course i meant to say “He” was ok as a director,not i.
Comment by Socratores — May 26, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
Tragic news indeed. Sid was a Pollack’s Pollack.
Comment by Beppo — May 26, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
I met him. He was a sweet man. A good person.
Comment by Willem — May 26, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Met him briefly whilst working on ‘Clayton.’
Was always gracious and kind.
Walked like a giant. A true great.
Count myself enormously lucky to have seen him work first-hand.
Comment by BTL'er — May 26, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
totally bummed to read this tonight. i had heard he wasn’t well but didn’t realize it had progressed so far. the film industry has lost a great man before his time.
everyone in hollywood w/ power should be working on getting more $ for cancer research, it’s getting bad out there people.
Comment by troy — May 26, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
a great loss. he will be missed.
Comment by runninghorse — May 26, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
It’s much too soon and a great loss. What a talented man. At least as you mention he was able to receive love and appreciation from his friends and peers while he was fighting it.
Comment by Jenny — May 27, 2008 @ 12:12 am
RIP Sydney. You contributed to my love of film. You were great at what you did. You will always be remembered for your work and great, friendly persona. I created a tribute in his honor. Please add memories, photos to celebrate the life of a hollywood icon.
http://respectance.com/Sydney_Pollack
Comment by Tony C — May 27, 2008 @ 2:00 am
Yo Sydney. Save us a good seat. As an Oscar winner you spoke to us the unknown fans, after the Frida premier at the Toronto Film festival. Sydney, always a class act, keep an eye on us as we move through this maze of light. When we meet again the popcorn is on us.
Comment by writerdjb — May 27, 2008 @ 4:23 am
Wow!
In an industry where the majority of successful filmmakers consistantly work toward reaching the LOWEST common denominator, Sydney Pollock always strove for what I believe in, that it is possible to appeal to the HIGHEST common denominator and still have a successful career artistically and financially. His physical presence will be sorely missed… His spirit though, will live on through his marvelous body of work.
Raymond Forchion
Comment by Raymond Forchion — May 27, 2008 @ 6:28 am
Pollack directed every major star of his generation to some of their best work.
Sydney was held in such high regard that even his “lesser” works are considered blips.
It’s ironic that the actor/director’s most visible final appearance was as a disgraced cancer specialist on THE SOPRANOS last year.
Comment by MrJeff — May 27, 2008 @ 6:36 am
I loved the guy. Another new yorker Does Good by The World
Comment by Goomba`` — May 27, 2008 @ 8:12 am
I know his contributions are legion, but I’m going to miss him most for “Tootsie”. If anything goes wrong in my life, I put that movie on and feel good again. (The Russian Tea Room scene kills me.)
Comment by Tim — May 27, 2008 @ 8:52 am
That man was a class act.
Comment by Nonplussed — May 27, 2008 @ 9:02 am
I loved the Firm. A great adaptation o Grishman with Tom Cruise.
Out of Africa is still his masterpiece.
RIP.
Comment by fiona — May 27, 2008 @ 9:14 am
I was shocked when I heard he died early this morning.
I saw numerous films he acted and directed in. Now two preformances stand out: the agent he played in Tootsie and the psychologist he acted in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut.
Either in front or behind the camera Sydney Pollack was a wonder to watch and to admire.
Comment by chuck — May 27, 2008 @ 9:22 am
First Anthony Minghella and now his producing partner.
Don’t forget that they produced all those great Minghella films. i.e. Talented Ripley, Cold Montain, Breaking and Entering, etc. And don’t forget about how big “The Firm” was back when it came out. Redford really owed a lot to Sydney imo. Even though he woulnd’t have had a hard time, but some of Redfords work was w/ Pollack. Man, he was a great director/actor!
That part in a Civil Action alone showed he had it. Where he plays the high powered attorney wanting a make a deal w/ Travolta’s character. And of course he took Harvey Keitel’s part over in Kubricks Eyes…. Played it to perfection. In short, i’m very sad b/c I know there’s not too many of these great men left in Hollywood.
Comment by Brantley — May 27, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Say what you will about Scott Rudin, but his mention and dedication of the Oscar to Pollack was a wonderful touch.
Comment by Bluto — May 27, 2008 @ 10:16 am
I adored the Talented Mr. Ripley and I really enjoyed it. What I loved about it was the fact it recreated the ’50s such splendid detail.
Comment by chuck — May 27, 2008 @ 10:52 am
What a great loss. I was shocked to read this on the news ticker as i was playing ‘Out of Africa’ on my laptop. That is my favorite movie as well as ‘The Interpreter’. He will be greatly missed.
Comment by Filmjunkie — May 27, 2008 @ 11:16 am
How ironic to have seen his wonderful performance as the murderous oncologist on “The Sopranos”. The way he listed off all of those cancer drugs when he was comforting Johnny Sack shows he had probably had first hand knowledge. A true loss.
Comment by Brian R. — May 27, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Very sad news indeed.
I was actually quite shocked to see the headline of this post… Didnt know he had cancer.
Guess the only thing to do is rewatch his movies, and pay silent homage to this great man.
Saw him recently in a cameo appearance on Entourage - and enjoyed the hell out of it.
sad, sad news.
Comment by Andy — May 27, 2008 @ 11:28 am
Never get sick of watching his “Three Days of the Condor” and “Jeremiah Johnson”. Vale Mr. Pollack.
Comment by Richard Blaine — May 27, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Always knew when he was involved in a project it would be worth experiencing (The Tootsie role– amazing!). Never heard a negative word about him. In this business, that says a lot.
RIP, Mr. Pollack, you’ll be missed.
Comment by e — May 27, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
I was so very sad to hear the news. I loved him as a director AND an actor.
“Tootsie” is one of my all time favorite films - along with “Out of Africa”. And as much as I dislike Tom Cruise- I liked “The Firm”. And he was so underrated as an actor. And there isn’t room to list all the movies he produced that I enjoyed.
My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Comment by actingup — May 27, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
I got to work with both Sydney Pollack and James Burrows when Sydney did a guest arc on Will and Grace. It was fascinating to watch him try to figure out a multi camera show. He’d break for a moment in rehearsal, and put on his director’s hat , and ask Jimmy what camera was his. Burrows would reply “I got you covered”. Two masters at work with mutual admiration for each others talents. Awesome to see.
Peggy Lane O’Rourke
Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — May 27, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
As I looked through his imdb info page I was amazed at how many films he either produced, directed or acted in that had left an indelible mark on me.
I was probably only about 11 years old when I saw “This Property is Condemned” for the first time on TV. It was probably in the late 60’s or early 70’s. The characters and situations were like watching people in a foreign land which fascinated me to no end! It remains one of my favorites to this day.
“The Way We Were” “Three Days of the Condor” “Absence of Malice” “Out of Africa” “Cold Mountain” - I never knew these were his films. I’m embarrassed to say that but I don’t work in this industry - I’m just a person who enjoys good movies. But as I look at his body of work I realize many of his films are GREAT movies!
His talent will certainly be missed by this “movie lover.” Many in Hollywood can only hope to produce such a body of memorable work.
My condolences to his family.
Comment by eb — May 28, 2008 @ 10:25 pm