Robert Downey Sr., director of the countercultural satire “Putney Swope” and the father of actor Robert Downey Jr., died Wednesday in New York. He was 85.
Downey Jr. posted about his father on Instagram, writing “Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s…he was a true maverick filmmaker.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. Official (@robertdowneyjr)
Downey Sr. also acted, and directed several other films that gained a cult following. But 1969’s “Putney Swope” was given a mainstream release and thus exposed his work to a wider audience, which was shocked (even appalled) by much of what they saw at the time. The devastating satire of Madison Avenue follows what happens when an African American activist is given a free hand at an ad agency.
“Putney Swope” made New York Magazine’s list of 10 top films of the year.
Downey Jr. posted about his father on Instagram, writing “Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s…he was a true maverick filmmaker.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. Official (@robertdowneyjr)
Downey Sr. also acted, and directed several other films that gained a cult following. But 1969’s “Putney Swope” was given a mainstream release and thus exposed his work to a wider audience, which was shocked (even appalled) by much of what they saw at the time. The devastating satire of Madison Avenue follows what happens when an African American activist is given a free hand at an ad agency.
“Putney Swope” made New York Magazine’s list of 10 top films of the year.
- 7/7/2021
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Downey Sr., the director of the anti-establishment satirical classic Putney Swope and the father of actor Robert Downey Jr., died early today in his sleep at home in New York City. He was 85.
His death was announced by wife and author Rosemary Rogers to the New York Daily News. Rogers told the publication that Downey Sr. had suffered from Parkinson’s for more five years. Robert Downey Jr. confirmed the death on Instagram today, writing that his father was “a true maverick filmmaker” who “remained remarkably optimistic” throughout “the ravages of Parkinson’s.”
See Downey Jr.’s Instagram tribute below.
Born in New York City, Downey Sr. became a significant force in the city’s underground film movement in the 1960s, writing and directing the 1961 short fantasy film Ball’s Bluff in which a Civil War soldier wakes up to find himself in 20th Century Central Park.
Other offbeat indie films followed,...
His death was announced by wife and author Rosemary Rogers to the New York Daily News. Rogers told the publication that Downey Sr. had suffered from Parkinson’s for more five years. Robert Downey Jr. confirmed the death on Instagram today, writing that his father was “a true maverick filmmaker” who “remained remarkably optimistic” throughout “the ravages of Parkinson’s.”
See Downey Jr.’s Instagram tribute below.
Born in New York City, Downey Sr. became a significant force in the city’s underground film movement in the 1960s, writing and directing the 1961 short fantasy film Ball’s Bluff in which a Civil War soldier wakes up to find himself in 20th Century Central Park.
Other offbeat indie films followed,...
- 7/7/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In today's Glam Slam feature: We're in the midst of yet another Hollywood baby boom with Mila Kunis, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlet Johansson and Stacy Keibler all expecting.
Allyson Downey, founder of weeSpring, a social review site for baby products (think of it as a Yelp for baby gear), offers some must-haves for new moms and dads.
The Swaddle Blanket:
You've seen these on Prince George and every one you know, but the reason these get our "Love It!" rating is because they're versatile. They can be used as a swaddle, a nursing cover and a baby blanket. ...
Copyright 2014 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Allyson Downey, founder of weeSpring, a social review site for baby products (think of it as a Yelp for baby gear), offers some must-haves for new moms and dads.
The Swaddle Blanket:
You've seen these on Prince George and every one you know, but the reason these get our "Love It!" rating is because they're versatile. They can be used as a swaddle, a nursing cover and a baby blanket. ...
Copyright 2014 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 5/12/2014
- by access.hollywood@nbcuni.com (AccessHollywood.com Editorial Staff)
- Access Hollywood
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