Albert S. Ruddy, a charismatic Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” passed away at the age of 94. Ruddy, who also developed the prison-sports comedy “The Longest Yard” and helped create the hit sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” died peacefully at the UCLA Medical Center on Saturday.
Known for his tall, muscular build and raspy voice, Ruddy produced more than 30 movies throughout his career, experiencing both great successes and notable flops. He worked frequently with actor Burt Reynolds and had a diverse range of credits, from critically acclaimed films to those nominated for Golden Raspberry awards.
Producing “The Godfather” was a challenging experience for Ruddy, as the project faced opposition from Italian Americans, including Frank Sinatra, who feared it would reinforce negative stereotypes. Ruddy even received threats from real-life mobsters, with gunfire outside his home and a warning on his car’s dashboard to shut down the production.
To save the film, Ruddy met with crime boss Joseph Colombo and agreed to remove a single mention of the word “mafia” from the script and make a donation to the Italian American Civil Rights League. Despite being fired by Paramount at one point, Ruddy was rehired after director Francis Coppola objected, and the movie went on to become a critical and commercial sensation.
When Ruddy won the Best Picture Oscar for “The Godfather” in 1973, the presenter was Clint Eastwood, with whom he would later produce another Best Picture winner, “Million Dollar Baby,” in 2005. Ruddy’s experiences during the making of “The Godfather” were the basis for the 2022 Paramount+ miniseries “The Offer,” in which he was portrayed by Miles Teller.
Before his success in film, Ruddy worked as an architect and met TV actor Bernard Fein in the early 1960s. Together, they developed the TV series “Hogan’s Heroes,” which ran from 1965-71 on CBS. The show was criticized for trivializing World War II and turning the Nazis into lovable cartoons, but it became a hit nonetheless.
Ruddy’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career in the entertainment industry, one that saw him overcome significant challenges and create some of the most iconic and beloved films in history.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.