Bob Rafelson Dies: Oscar Nominee Director of ‘Five Easy Pieces’, Co-Creator of ‘Monkees’ Was 89 Years Old

Bob Rafelson is a giant in the American indie film movement as a writer, director, and producer, and later co-creator of television. monkeysHe died of natural causes at his home in Aspen, CO, on Saturday. He was 89 years old.

Her death was confirmed by her ex-husband Gabriel.

Hollywood and the death of the media in 2021: photo gallery

Rafelson collaborated with Jack Nicholson on seven feature films five simple pieces (1970) and Marvin’s King Gardens (1972). he was a producer Easy rider.

He was also instrumental in creating The Monkees, a television music group seen as the Beatles.

Rafelson co-wrote and produced five simple pieces And then a derivative of Peter Bogdanovich show last picture (1971). He was nominated for an Oscar for both.

He also made his mark as a cultural influencer on television. Edited with Burt Schneider monkeys, The 1966 NBC show brought together a young band at an open audition call with some of today’s top songwriters to create a show that still resonates today. The famous names of the group Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork took part in the series, which won an Emmy for Best Comedy Series in 1967.

Rafelson directed, produced and produced several episodes. He also received writing credits on two shows.

The Monkees’ first four albums topped the Billboard 200 album chart with six singles, including “Last Train to Clarksville”, “I’m a Believer”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Daydream Believer”. .

Rafelson led the group in 1968 when the 58-episode series made its way onto television. head He made his directorial debut as part of a five-film deal with Columbia.

The film was not well received by critics, and Monkees fans were initially reluctant to follow it. But over the years it has become a cult and remains an important part of the Monkees legacy.

at the cost of giving up ManagerRafelson’s second attempt had a much greater impact. it was easy rider, taken at the same time Manager.

The Apes’ Mickey Dolentz Remembers Bob Rafelson and the Role That ‘Totally Changed My Life’

Rafelson was an unnamed consultant on the film directed by Dennis Hopper and from a screenplay by Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Terry Sauern. The 1969 film was the turning point of the era, capturing the counter-cultural tone of the precarious end of the 1960s.

But the best of Rafelson were yet to come. The second feature is five simple piecesHe highlighted his collaboration with Carol Eastman on the screenplay.

Mysterious Tramp Story five simple pieces An instant hit with the critics. Roger Ebert named it the best film of 1970 and was nominated for four Academy Awards. It also gave the star Jack Nicholson his second Oscar nomination.

This success has spawned a wave of standalone features, including: show last image; said move (1971), an Academy Award-winning anti-war documentary heart and mind (1974); and directed by Rafaelson Marvin’s King Gardens (1972), starring Nicholson and Bruce Dern.

They were in the late 70’s and late 80’s. To be hungry (1976), with a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and The postman always rings the bell twice (1981), starring Nicholson and Jessica Lange.

Rafelson suffered a setback in his career when he was fired from the film in 1980. rowdy, Starring Robert Redford, presumably to crush a Fox executive.

He returned to the music side in 1986 and directed the video for Lionel Richie’s monster hit “All Night.”

Later in his career, Rafelson directed the 1987 film. Open the windowStarring Debra Winger and moon mountains (1990); And two more films with the participation of Nicholson male problem (1992) and blood and wine (1997). he also wore a helmet nothing is good (2002) and then closed.

Also alive are his sons Gabriel, Ethan and Harper; son Peter; sister-in-law Karen; and a nephew.

Patrick Heaps contributed to this report.