Robert Benton, the acclaimed filmmaker known for his revolutionary contributions to Hollywood, passed away at the age of 92 at his home in Manhattan due to natural causes, as confirmed by his son, John Benton. Benton's illustrious career spanned over four decades, during which he earned six Oscar nominations and won three times. His notable achievements include writing and directing the critically acclaimed films "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Places in the Heart," both of which earned him Academy Awards. Benton's work was highly regarded in the film industry, and he was known for fostering memorable performances from actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Sally Field.
Despite facing challenges such as severe dyslexia, which made reading difficult for him as a child, Benton excelled as a filmmaker. He successfully adapted novels by celebrated authors like Philip Roth, E.L. Doctorow, and Richard Russo into feature films. Benton's career in the arts began in the early 1960s when he worked as an art director for Esquire magazine. His love for French New Wave cinema and classic gangster tales, combined with the news of a friend earning $25,000 for a Doris Day screenplay, inspired him and Esquire editor David Newman to create a screenplay about the infamous Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. They envisioned the duo as precursors to the rebellious spirit of the 1960s.
The journey to bring "Bonnie and Clyde" to the big screen was a long and challenging one. Renowned directors such as François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard initially declined the project. However, the film eventually found its way to Warren Beatty, who agreed to produce and star in it. Directed by Arthur Penn and featuring Beatty alongside Faye Dunaway, "Bonnie and Clyde" initially faced criticism for its graphic violence but ultimately became a cultural touchstone of the 1960s. The film marked the beginning of a new, more creative era in Hollywood.
The original screenplay by Benton and Newman was even more daring, portraying Clyde Barrow as bisexual and involved in a complex relationship with Bonnie and their male accomplice. However, Beatty and Penn resisted this portrayal, opting instead to depict Barrow as impotent, with additional uncredited contributions from screenwriter Robert Towne.
In the years following "Bonnie and Clyde," Benton's subsequent films did not achieve the same level of impact, although he continued to enjoy both critical and commercial success. He contributed to the screenplay for "Superman" and worked on "What's Up, Doc?" He also directed and co-wrote well-received films such as "Bad Company," a revisionist Western starring Jeff Bridges, and "The Late Show," a nuanced comedy that earned Benton an Oscar nomination for its screenplay.
In 1979, Benton reached new heights with his adaptation of Avery Corman's novel "Kramer vs. Kramer." The film, starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, explored the evolving dynamics of family roles and expectations. It told the story of a self-centered advertising executive who becomes a devoted parent after his wife leaves him, only to have her return and seek custody of their son. "Kramer vs. Kramer" resonated with audiences and critics alike, garnering five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hoffman credited the film and Benton's direction for rekindling his passion for acting.
Five years later, Benton returned to the Oscars with the deeply personal film "Places in the Heart." Drawing from family stories and childhood memories, the film was set in the 1930s and starred Sally Field as a determined mother struggling to keep her land following the tragic death of her husband. Benton described the film as a romanticized reflection of the past and a tribute to his mother, who had passed away shortly before the release of "Kramer vs. Kramer."
Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Benton developed a love for movies thanks to his father, Ellery Douglass Benton, who worked for a telephone company. Instead of focusing on homework, the elder Benton would take the family to the movies and share stories about attending the funerals of Texas outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. Robert Benton pursued higher education at the University of Texas and Columbia University before serving in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. During his time at Esquire, Benton played a role in establishing the magazine's Dubious Achievement Award and briefly dated Gloria Steinem, who