Al Pacino leads tributes to ‘The Godfather’ producer Albert S. Ruddy who has died

29 May, 2024

Albert S. Ruddy in 1979 and Al Pacino

Al Pacino has led tributes to The Godfather producer Albert S. Ruddy, who has died aged 94.

Ruddy died “peacefully” last Saturday (May 25) at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles, according to a spokesperson (via Sky News), who added that among his final words were: “The game is over, but we won the game.”

Ruddy produced more than 30 films including Million Dollar Baby and The Longest Yard while his TV credits included Hogan’s Heroes and Walker Texas Ranger.

Pacino, who played the iconic Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, was one of the first to pay his respects to the late producer.

“Al Ruddy was absolutely beautiful to me the whole time on The Godfather; even when they didn’t want me, he wanted me. He gave me the gift of encouragement when I needed it most and I’ll never forget it,” he said in a statement.

Clint Eastwood, who starred in Million Dollar Baby, also paid his respects. “Al Ruddy, RIP My Friend…,” he wrote alongside a picture with him and Ruddy.

The late producer’s final big-screen producing credit was Eastwood’s 2021 western drama Cry Macho.

Ruddy was also recently portrayed by Miles Teller in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, which chronicles the late producer’s experience making The Godfather.

Teller offered his condolences, writing: “Albert S. Ruddy was the rare combination of a producers mind with an artist’s soul. An unrelenting equal parts champion of both the talent in front of the screen and behind it.

“I learned so much portraying Al in The Offer and Al was always gracious with his time and his treasure trove of old Hollywood stories. Al lived a life many could only dream of and all would envy. Show em the way up there Al.”

The Offer director Dexter Fletcher added in a statement (via Deadline): “Al was truly one of the great Hollywood mavericks. One of the last Mohicans who created great movies which still influence and inspire to this day.

“From humble beginnings to the highest of Hollywood accolades. His was an incredible journey. Achieved through the sheer power of his determination, strong will, irrepressible energy and charm and a rarely matched love for the art of film.”

Among the other films Ruddy wrote, co-wrote or was credited with are Matilda (1978),
Megaforce (1982), Cannonball Run II (1984), Bad Girls (1994) Adam Sandler’s The Longest Yard remake (2005) and Cloud 9 (2006).

According to Deadline, no public funeral service will take place but memorial services are pending.

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