Producer Al Ruddy earned Oscars for his films 'The Godfather' and 'Million Dollar Baby.' Al Pacino reacted to his death.
Al Ruddy, the Oscar-winning producer known for his work on such films as The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby, died on Saturday. He was 94.
The news of his death was confirmed via a statement to ET from his family.
"Albert Stotland Ruddy, the legendary film and television producer who earned two Academy Awards for Best Picture (The Godfather, Million Dollar Baby), died peacefully following a brief illness on May 25, 2024 surrounded by his family at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center. He was 94 years old," the statement said in part.
No further details were shared.
Ruddy's wife, Wanda McDaniel, shared the news on Instagram with her followers.
"Among the last words of Albert S. Ruddy: 'The game is over, but we won the game!' You slayed the game of life, my darling," she wrote next to a photo of her late husband. "The void you leave behind is as immense as our love. You were human effervescence, the bubbles in the tonic. As Emily Dickenson said: 'Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.' You were adored by so many, a Hollywood legend and sweetheart. Rest in peace my unique, urbane, brilliant husband. You are now my heart — always my forever love and my man in the arena. 25 / May / 2024 💔."
Ruddy's daughter, Alexandra, also took to Instagram to pay an emotional tribute to her father.
"As soon as I realized I had an 'old dad' I was scared for the day I would lose him. But then he lived so long and so bright that I learned to replace the fear of his passing with gratitude for having him. Although I began to think he might be immortal, the legend Al Ruddy did pass this weekend," she wrote.
"Even though my heart is cleaved into two, I am still grateful. He gave us so many gifts until the very end. And while many will honor his accomplishments, it is my honor to be the only person in the world who can say I was his daughter. He was the most unique dad in the world. He was the funniest MFer to ever exist and cursed in front of me too young and let me drink Sprite out of martini glasses to look like him while also teaching me how to drive well, play poker, telling me not to get married too young, not to limit my own potential—encouraging me to be even greater than he was," she added. "He was insanely punctual, thrifty, and would be sure to tell me the ways in which the mechanic was ripping me off. He was special because despite all of his personal success, he was just as excited when his loved ones had a win. He was my dad, my partner, my buddy, and the yardstick against which I measure everything in life. Though this is my immense loss right now, having this epic man as my father is the win of a lifetime. I’ll honor you forever dad."
In a statement to ET, Ruddy was also remembered by Al Pacino, who worked with him on The Godfather.
"Al Ruddy was absolutely beautiful to me the whole time on The Godfather," the veteran actor said. "Even when they didn't want me, he wanted me. He gave me the gift of encouragement when I needed it most and I’ll never forget it."
Ruddy had a storied career which saw him create hit shows such as Hogan's Heroes and Walker Texas Ranger. In addition, Ruddy also produced the hit films The Longest Yard and Cannonball Run.
In 1973, Ruddy accepted his first Academy Award for The Godfather, after the film took home Best Picture. In 2004, Ruddy received the award once again alongside Clint Eastwood for their work on Million Dollar Baby.
Ruddy's additional credits include Cloud 9, Cannonball Run II, Megaforce and more.
His work on The Godfather was also the subject of The Offer, a 2022 miniseries on Paramount where Ruddy was portrayed by Miles Teller and also starred Juno Temple and Justin Chambers.
Ruddy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Wanda McDaniel, daughter Alexandra, son-in-law Abdullah Saeed, and his son, John.
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