Richard L. O’Connor Dies: Emmy-Winning Producer, Exec In Charge Of ‘On Golden Pond’, ‘Muppet Movie’ Was 96
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- Richard L. O'Connor died July 22 in Palm Desert at age 96, his family announced; a cause of death was not disclosed.
- O'Connor won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for producing the 1989 NBC TV movie "A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story," starring Alfre Woodard.
- O'Connor served as a studio executive in charge of production on The Muppet Movie (1979), On Golden Pond (1981), Raise The Titanic (1980), Movie, Movie (1978) and Friendly Fire (1979).
- O'Connor launched his Hollywood career in the mail room at CBS Television City after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps with his twin brother Don during the Korean War from 1950 to 1951.
- O'Connor's producing credits spanned TV series and movies including Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993), Amerika (1987), Fatal Vision (1984) and A Death in California (1985).
- O'Connor is survived by wife Brona, daughters Kathleen, Triglia and Karen, stepchildren Kate, Marc and Matt, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Why it matters: O'Connor's four-decade career bridged the studio executive and producer ranks at a time when one person could oversee both landmark theatrical films like On Golden Pond and The Muppet Movie and award-winning television. His death at 96 closes a chapter on a generation of hands-on studio decision-makers whose work shaped both big-screen classics and 1980s–90s prestige TV.
