Mark Rydell dead at 97: Director-actor famously helmed Bette Midler's The Rose and earned Oscar nom for On Golden Pond

Oscar-nominated director Mark Rydell passed away at the age of 97 on Thursday, August 13. 

The late star died of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital located in Woodland Hills, California, his daughter Amy confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. 

She also paid an emotional tribute to her father in an Instagram post uploaded on Friday. 

Alongside a series of throwback photos of Rydell from over the years, Amy wrote: 'Hard to put into words how much I loved my Dad. 

'He was truly one of a kind. Funniest and most talented person I've ever known. I am so grateful to be his daughter. RIP love your fatso potato chip.'

Rydell had worked with a number of Hollywood celebrities over the years on critically-acclaimed projects including Bette Midler, Katherine Hepburn and John Wayne.

Rydell had been born in March 1929 in New York City and later studied at the Juilliard School of Music. 

He additionally studied and trained as an actor at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre as well as the Actors Studio. 

His decades-long career in the entertainment industry began in the 50s when he took on minor roles in shows such as Omnibus, The Phil Silvers Show and The Edge Of Night. 

Rydell also starred in a 1962 episode of The Dick Powell Theatre before receiving an uncredited directing role for an episode of The Virginian in 1963. 

The star continued to step behind the camera throughout the 60s on shows such as Ben Casey, The Wild Wild West and Gunsmoke. 

In 1967, he directed the drama film titled The Fox which starred Sandy Dennis and Anne Heywood. 

The project received positive reviews and also garnered four Golden Globe nominations, including a Best Director nod for Rydell. 

Two years later, he also directed Steve McQueen and Sharon Farrell in The Reivers (1969). 

Rydell would continue to direct as he stepped behind the camera for the movie The Cowboys (1972) starring John Wayne. 

The next year, he also directed the drama film Cinderella Liberty which had cast James Caan and Marsha Mason. 

Rydell directed the period comedy Harry And Walter Go To New York (1976) which starred James Caan, Lesley Ann Warren, Michael Caine and Diane Keaton. 

He gained wider recognition with the 1979 movie The Rose which had cast Bette Midler, which was also her film debut. 

The film was a critical and box office success, while also being nominated for four Academy Awards. 

Two years later, Rydell once again reached more success with On Golden Pond (1981) starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda. 

The project garnered 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Director for Rydell. 

He also directed Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek in The River (1984), although the movie performed poorly at the box office. 

Despite low box office numbers, The River still raked in four Academy Award nominations. 

Rydell also directed For The Boys (1991), Intersection (1994) and Even Money (2006). 

He additionally stepped behind the camera for TV movies such as Crime Of The Century (1996) and James Dean (2001). 

His final directing credit was a 2007 episode of Masters Of Science Fiction. 

While following his passion for directing, Rydell also would occasionally appear in front of the camera. 

The late star's final acting credit was the 2021 project Senior Entourage, per his official IMDB page. 

Rydell was married to Joanne Linville from 1962 until their divorce in 1973. The former couple welcomed children Amy and Christopher. 

He later tied the knot to Esther Rydell and the pair welcomed a son named Alexander. Their divorce took place in 2007. 

Lesley Ann Warren, who had previously worked with Rydell on Harry And Walter Go To New York, paid a special tribute to the director upon learning of his passing. 

'I'd known Mark Rydell for many years, having both been members of The Actor's Studio in NY and LA when he directed me in Harry and Walter Go To NY,' she wrote on Instagram. 

'It was always a joy to be around him. He understood at the deepest level what actors need to propel them to express the writer's vision, their own and ultimately, the director's. I adored him and his ever present twinkle.'

Warren added, 'I was so honored that he chose to be interviewed in a documentary  "A Cinderella Story" celebrating my work and career. I am forever grateful to have known and loved him. R.I.P, Maestro.'