Iconic "Rambo" director Ted Kotcheff passes at 94
Ted Kotcheff, the director of the iconic film "Rambo: First Blood," has died at the age of 94. The artist passed away in a hospital in Mexico, surrounded by his closest family. The cause of death has not been revealed.
The film industry has lost one of its outstanding creators. The family shared the sad news. Ted Kotcheff, known for directing hits like “Rambo: First Blood” and “Weekend at Bernie’s,” has passed away at 94.
Kotcheff’s career began in television when he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation at the age of 24. Early on, he became the youngest director at CBC, working on shows like General Motors Theatre, Encounter, First Performance, and On Camera before moving to the United Kingdom to further pursue filmmaking. His directorial debut was the 1962 comedy "Tiara Tahiti."
Ted Kotcheff's film legacy
Kotcheff left behind an impressive film legacy. His most well-known work, “Rambo: First Blood”, released in 1982, earned over $125 million in profits. Despite its success, Kotcheff declined to participate in the sequel, criticizing its script for glorifying the Vietnam War.
In a 2016 interview with "Filmmaker," Kotcheff explained his decision.
"They offered me the first sequel, and after I read the script I said, ‘In the first film he doesn’t kill anybody. In this film he kills 75 people.' It seemed to be celebrating the Vietnam War, which I thought was one of the stupidest wars in history," he said.
Other known productions
Besides "Rambo," Kotcheff directed films such as "Uncommon Valor," "The Shooter," "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," and "Fun with Dick and Jane." In 1989, he created the comedic hit “Weekend at Bernie’s,” which also gained significant popularity.
Kotcheff was admired for his approach to filmmaking and his ability to create unforgettable stories. His work will forever remain in the memory of movie fans.
