Robert Benton, Oscar-winning ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ filmmaker, dead at 92
Over the years, Benton both wrote and directed several acclaimed films.
WASHINGTON — Robert Benton, the screenwriter turned director known for his work on “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” has died at the age of 92.
Benton died on Sunday at his home in Manhattan, the New York Times first reported, citing his longtime assistant and manager Marisa Forzano. Benton’s son, John Benton, confirmed to the Associated Press that he died of “natural causes.”
Benton gained fame as the co-writer of the revolutionary film “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1967, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
He went on to direct and write the screenplay for “Kramer vs. Kramer,” for which he won Oscars for both Best Director and Best Screenplay, and the movie itself secured the Oscar for Best Picture.
Over the years, Benton wrote and directed several acclaimed films including his directorial debut “Bad Company,” “The Late Show,” “Places in the Heart,” “Nobody’s Fool” and “Twilight” in 1998.
Benton, who was born in Waxahachie, Texas, married artist Sallie Rendig in 1964 and the couple remained together until her death in 2023.
The script for “Bonnie and Clyde” was reportedly inspired by tales from his father, who had attended the real-life funerals of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
As a director, Benton demonstrated a unique ability to extract Oscar-nominated performances from his actors. In fact, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Sally Field all won Oscars for their roles in Benton’s films.
Field’s win for “Places in the Heart” led to her iconic “You Like Me!” speech at the 57th Academy Awards.