Oscar-winning filmmaker Robert Benton passes away at 92

NEWYORK: Oscar-winning American director and screenwriter Robert Benton (92) passed away the other day. He is the director of several films, including "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979), which won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Benton, who won an Oscar for directing and writing 'Kramer vs. Kramer', starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, won his third Oscar of his career for writing the screenplay for Places in the Heart (1984). He has also been nominated four times for an Oscar.

Born on September 29, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, he suffered from a learning disability (dyslexia) as a child. He enrolled at Columbia University for a master's degree in art history but didn't complete it. He then served in the army for a few days.

Benton entered the film world in 1967 by writing the screenplay for the crime film "Bonnie and Clyde" with David Newman. The film, directed by Arthur Penn, was a huge hit.

Benton co-wrote the screenplays for films from the 1970s and 1980s, including Superman (1978). Benton co-wrote the screenplay for the first film in the Superman series with Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman.

The lead role was played by Christopher Reeve and the movie directed by Richard Donner. Benton made his directorial debut with Bad Company (1972). He had directed only 11 films in his long career. He was currently writing an autobiography.

He gained attention as a director and screenwriter for films such as The Late Show, Still of the Night, Nadine, Nobody's Fool, and Twilight. His last directorial was Feast of Love (2007). Benton's wife, Sallie Rendig, who had been with him for 59 years, died in 2023.