Michael Ritchie

Director

About

Also Known As

Alan Smithee, Michael Brunswick Ritchie

Birth Place

Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA

Born

November 28, 1938

Died

April 16, 2001

Cause of Death

Prostate Cancer

Biography

Filmography

The Fantasticks (2000)

Director

A Simple Wish (1997)

Director

Cops And Robbersons (1994)

Director

The Scout (1994)

Director

The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993)

Director

Diggstown (1992)

Director

Photos & Videos

View All

Divine Madness (1980) -- Original Trailer

Downhill Racer (1969) -- (Movie Clip) Open

Family & Companions

Georgina Ritchie

Wife

First wife; mother of Ritchie's three older children.

Jimmie Ritchie

Wife

Architect. Second wife; mother of Ritchie's two youngest daughters.

Biography

Wisconsin-born, California-raised Michael Ritchie gained early directorial experience as an undergraduate at Harvard, staging the original production of classmate Arthur Kopit's "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad" in 1960. Following graduation he worked in series TV, directing episodes of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." and "Dr. Kildare." Ritchie's first feature, "Downhill Racer" (1969), starring Robert Redford, was noted for its gripping skiing sequences, shot with hand-held 16mm cameras. His third film, "The Candidate" (1972), also starred Redford, and it remains one of the finest cinematic excoriations of the American political system.

Ritchie's subsequent output was primarily in the comedic vein, including the memorable "Smile" (1975, which he also produced), a backstage look at the inner workings of a beauty pageant that exposed the hypocrisies of small-town life in the process. After the amiable "The Bad News Bears" (1976), Ritchie's low-concept comedies, including little-seen bombs like "Student Bodies" (1981) and "Diggstown" (1992), didn't really come off. In a two-year period in the mid-80s, though, Ritchie helmed the fiscally successful Chevy Chase comedy "Fletch" (1985), the Goldie Hawn vehicle "Wildcats," and the Eddie Murphy film "The Golden Child" (both 1986). Somehow Ritchie, who had once directed nifty, very American little movies had become, at best, a hired gun.

In 1993, he penned the story for "Cool Runnings," a cheerful story about the Jamaican bobsled team, which became the sleeper hit of the winter season. This success, paired with his darkly satirical made-for-cable gem, "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" (HBO, 1993), starring Holly Hunter in the title role, marked a return to form for Ritchie. Both movies received critical adulation, unlike Ritchie's lackluster big screen efforts "Cops and Robbersons" and the less than warmly received baseball comedy "The Scout" (both 1994), starring Albert Brooks.

Ritchie rounded out his career helming the unsuccessful big screen adaptation of the long-running Off-Broadway musical "The Fantasticks" (filmed in 1995; released in 2000) and the wan fairy tale-inspired "A Simple Wish" (1997). In the years just prior to his untimely death from prostate cancer in April 2001, the director came full circle, handling helming chores on episodic television, directing for the Showtime showbiz satire "Beggars and Choosers" and the short-lived NBC drama "Deadline."

Filmography

Life Events

1960

While at Harvard, staged first production of classmate Arthur Kopit's play "Oh Dad, Poor, Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad"

1964

Graduated to associate producer and director on "Profiles in Courage" series, executive produced by Saudek

1967

Helmed the pilot for the NBC series "The Outsider"

1969

First feature film as director, "Downhill Racer", starring Robert Redford as a champion ski racer

1972

Reteamed with Redford as director of the politically-themed comedy-drama "The Candidate"

1975

First film as producer, "Smile", an underrated satirical look at beauty pageants; also directed

1976

Enjoyed a box-office hit with the comedy "The Bad News Bears", about an inept Little League team

1977

Directed the enjoyable and successful football-themed movie "Semi-Tough"

1978

Helmed the inevitable sequel, "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan"

1980

Produced and directed the feature film "Divine Madness", adapted from Bette Midler's highly successful concert tour

1983

Directed the comedy "The Survivors"

1985

Helmed the film adaptation of the popular detective novel "Fletch"; first of four films with Chevy Chase

1986

Returned to sports-themed comedy with "Wildcats", about a female coaching a football squad

1986

Directed the Eddie Murphy vehicle "The Golden Child"

1988

Reunited with comic actor Chevy Chase for "The Couch Trip"

1989

Helmed the disappointing sequel "Fletch Lives", starring Chase

1992

Played a small role as a night watchman in John Landis's feature, "Innocent Blood"

1993

Returned to the small screen to direct the acclaimed, award-winning HBO movie "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom"

1994

Last feature with Chevy Chase, "Cops & Robbersons"

1994

Once again returned to sports-themes with "The Scout", about a professional baseball scout who discovers a talented young pitcher

1997

Last directorial effort, "A Simple Wish"

1997

Directed the unsold pilot "Comfort, Texas"

1999

Helmed episodes of Showtime's "Beggars and Choosers", a behind-the-scenes look at the running of a TV network

2000

Final released film, an adaptation of the long-running Off-Broadway musical "The Fantasticks" (filmed in 1995), also produced

2000

Final TV work, directed episodes of the short-lived NBC series "Deadline"

Photo Collections

The Candidate (1972) - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for The Candidate (1972), starring Robert Redford and directed by Michael Ritchie. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.