Mark Rydell, the Oscar-nominated director of 'On Golden Pond,' dies at 97

Mark Rydell, the Oscar-nominated director known for "On Golden Pond," has died

Mark Rydell, the Oscar-nominated director known for "On Golden Pond," has died

Having started out as an actor, he was able to coax sensitive work out of performers like Bette Midler, Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and John Wayne.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Mark Rydell, the director behind ‘On Golden Pond,’ ‘For the Boys’ and ‘The Rose,’ passed away Friday. The news broke via a tribute to the Oscar-nominated director from collaborator Bette Midler, who posted it on her Instagram. “Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, ‘The Rose,’ died

The onetime soap star on 'As the World Turns' also helmed 'Cinderella Liberty,' 'The Rose' and John Wayne's 'The Cowboys.'

Mark Rydell, who received a best director nomination for the Oscar-winning “On Golden Pond” and directed Bette Midler in “The Rose” and “For the Boys,” died Friday. He was 97. Midler posted about his death on her Instagram, writing, “Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, The Rose, died this morning. He was an…

Mark Rydell, the Oscar-nominated director of 1981’s On Golden Pond and two of Bette Midler’s signature films – The Rose and For The Boys – died today. He was 97. His death was announced by Midler on Instagram today. “Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, The Rose, died this morning. He was an…