Los Angeles, California - Mark Rydell, who is known for films such as The Rose and The Cowboys, has died at the age of 97.
As his daughter Amy confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter, Rydell died of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills.
Rydell had a successful, decades‑long career in Hollywood. Among his best‑known works are The Rose (1979) with Bette Midler and On Golden Pond (1981) with Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda.
He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director for the latter film, which received a total of 10 Academy Award nominations.
Rydell was born in March 1929 in New York and initially pursued music before training as an actor. His career began in the 1950s with small television roles.
In the 1960s, he increasingly moved behind the camera, working on series such as Ben Casey, The Wild Wild West, and Gunsmoke.
In 1967 Rydell made his feature‑film directing debut with The Fox (1967). This was followed by titles such as The Reivers (1969) with Steve McQueen, The Cowboys (1972) with John Wayne, Cinderella Liberty (1973), and Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976).
In addition to directing, Rydell continued to act occasionally. His last credited appearance was in 2021’s Senior Entourage.
Amy Rydell shares heartfelt tribute to her father
Fellow stars paid tribute to Rydell after his death. Lesley Ann Warren, who worked with him on Harry and Walter Go to New York, remembered the director on Instagram and described their collaboration as a great joy, highlighting his deep understanding of actors' work.
His daughter Amy also shared a heartfelt message. In an Instagram post, she wrote that it was "hard to put into words" how much she loved him.
Amy called her father the "funniest and most talented person" she had ever known, adding, "I am so grateful to be his daughter."
Mark Rydell was married to actor Joanne Linville from 1962 to 1973. The couple had two children, Amy and Christopher. He later married Esther Rydell, with whom he shared a son, Alexander.