Sydney Pollack 1934-2008

The great director/actor/producer Sydney Pollack died of cancer on Monday, May 26, 2008 at the age of 73. He’d been diagnosed about nine months ago, but continued to work even as his health worsened, executive-producing and acting a clutch role in Michael Clayton.

“Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better,” George Clooney said. “A tip of the hat to a class act. He’ll be missed terribly.”

Here is a small video sampling of the great work he leaves as his legacy, including the 1986 Best Picture Out of Africa.

As a director:
Sketches of Frank Gehry
The Interpreter
Random Hearts
Sabrina
The Firm
Havana
Out of Africa
Tootsie
The Electric Horseman
Bobby Deerfield
Three Days of the Condor
The Way We Were
Jeremiah Johnson
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?

As an actor:
Michael Clayton
Husbands and Wives
Made of Honor
Changing Lanes
Tootsie

As producer:
Breaking and Entering
Sliding Doors
Bright Lights, Big City

As executive producer:
Catch a Fire
Iris
Up at the Villa
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Sense and Sensibility
Leaving Normal
King Ralph
White Palace