Director Ted Kotcheff, mind behind "Rambo," dies at 94
Ted Kotcheff, the director of the iconic film "Rambo: First Blood," has passed away at 94 years of age. The artist died in a hospital in Mexico, surrounded by his closest family. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
The film industry has lost one of its exceptional creators, as shared by the family. Ted Kotcheff, director of hits such as “Rambo: First Blood” and “Weekend at Bernie’s,” died at the age of 94.
The director's career began in television. He was 24 years old when he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Early in his career, he was the youngest director at CBC, working on General Motors Theatre, Encounter, First Performance, and On Camera before moving to the United Kingdom to further his career in filmmaking. His directorial debut was the comedy "Tiara Tahiti" in 1962.
Ted Kotcheff's film legacy
Kotcheff left behind an impressive film legacy. His most well-known work is “Rambo: First Blood” from 1982, which earned over $125 million (173 million CAD) in profits. Despite its success, the director declined to participate in the sequel, criticizing its script for glorifying the Vietnam War.
In a 2016 interview with "Filmmaker," Kotcheff explained his decision.
"They offered me the first sequel, and after I read the script I said, ‘In the first film he doesn’t kill anybody. In this film he kills 75 people.' It seemed to be celebrating the Vietnam War, which I thought was one of the stupidest wars in history," he said.
Other known productions
In addition to "Rambo," Kotcheff directed films such as "Uncommon Valor," "The Shooter," "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," and "Fun with Dick and Jane." In 1989, he created the comedic hit “Weekend at Bernie’s,” which also gained significant popularity.
Kotcheff was appreciated for his approach to films and his ability to create unforgettable stories. His work will forever remain in the memory of movie fans.
