National News Richard Donner, 'Superman' and 'Lethal Weapon' director, dies Richard Donner, the prolific filmmaker responsible for Hollywood classics of the 1970s and '80s including the original "Superman" and "Lethal Weapon," has died at the age of 91. by New York Daily News Jul. 6 2021 @ 7:56pm Richard Donner, the prolific filmmaker responsible for Hollywood classics of the 1970s and '80s including the original "Superman" and "Lethal Weapon," has died at the age of 91. His production company confirmed the news to Variety but did not disclose a cause of death. The Bronx native was born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1931, and attended NYU, majoring in both business and theater.