Mark Rydell, director of On Golden Pond, dies at 97

Mark Rydell, who directed Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn to Oscars in On Golden Pond (1981), died on 13 August 2026 at age 97. Bette Midler announced the death on Instagram, calling him "an actor of note before he became a director." Rydell launched Midler's film career with The Rose (1979) and earned a best director Oscar nomination for On Golden Pond. (Variety, 14 August 2026)