Death of Richard Fleischer

Hollywood Director, RICHARD FLEISCHER, sadly died at a Los Angeles hospital on saturday, aged 89.

Fleischer, who directed the 1984 follow up to smash hit Conan The Barbarian, and 1985's Red Sonja died from natural causes; complications of an upper respiratory infection, at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital, Los Angeles.

Fleischer had a career in moves, spanning over 40 years. After breaking into the business making documentaries for RKO in New York, the fledgling filmmaker set out for L.A. In 1947 at the age of 31, he won his only Oscar for a documentary he produced but did not direct called 'Design for Death'. Later that year, Fleischer segued into feature filmmaking full-time with the crime drama 'Bodyguard'.

He made a string of B-movies, including Trapped (1949), Armored Car Robbery (1950), The Narrow Margin (1952), The Happy Time (1952) and Arena (1953) before the call came to take the reins on what would become one of the biggest hits of its day, Walt Disney's big-screen adaptation of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Fleischer nearly declined the job, since his father, Max Fleischer, was the legendary animator behind the Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons and Uncle Walt's chief competitor. But with his dad's okay, the younger Fleischer took the helm of 20,000 Leagues, the most expensive film the Mouse House had ever embarked upon. Starring Kirk Douglas, the F/X-filled film, which included the famous sequence of a giant squid attacking the Nautilus submarine, went on to become a box-office smash, inspired an enduring Disneyland ride and launched Fleischer into the big time.

After making the little-seen 1987 comedy Million Dollar Mystery , Fleischer retired. In 1993, he published a memoir, Just Tell Me When to Cry, which recounted his 50 years collaborating with some of the biggest names in the business.

Fleischer is best known to Arnold fans for his work on directing CONAN THE DESTROYER and RED SONJA.

"He was a man of great talent and an extraordinary director who leaves behind a legacy of amazing films," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

Fleischer is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary; sons Mark and Bruce and daughter Jane; and five grandchildren.

Global Arnold Staff

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