Robert Benton, the Oscar-winning director of “Kramer vs. Kramer” and screenwriter of “Bonnie and Clyde,” passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92.
Hillary Beechkov, Benton’s attorney, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. The American filmmaker made a significant impact on the cinema scene during the 1960s and 1970s.
Benton’s most famous work remains “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), which centers on a couple’s divorce and their battle for custody of their son.
The film achieved great success at the box office, receiving five Academy Awards in categories including Best Picture, Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman, Best Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Benton.
Benton was a fan of the French New Wave cinema and was regarded by The New York Times as the heir to director François Truffaut, who was initially offered the chance to direct “Kramer vs. Kramer” by production studios.
Born in Texas, Benton established his name in Hollywood by co-writing the screenplay for “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), which tells the story of the infamous bank-robbing duo of the 1930s.
In his directorial career, he also left a mark with “Places in the Heart” (1984), a film about a Texas widow struggling to survive during the Great Depression.
Throughout his career, Benton directed around ten feature films but earned widespread respect in Hollywood for his talent and humility.
“I am not one of those directors who know how to bring out the best in actors,” Benton once said.
Benton is survived by one son. His wife, Sally, passed away in 2023.
