Albert S Ruddy, best known as the producer of the classic gangster drama The Godfather, passed away on May 25 in UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center following an illness, stated a family representative. Ruddy was 94.
He is among the few producers to win multiple Academy Awards for Best Picture. He won his first Best Picture Oscar for The Godfather and the second one for Million Dollar Baby. Miles Teller played Ruddy in the recent series The Offer, directed by Dexter Fletcher, chronicling his experience producing the gangster classic that Francis Ford Coppola directed based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name.
“Al was truly one of the great Hollywood mavericks,” stated Fletcher. “One of the last Mohicans who created great movies that still influence and inspire to this day. From humble beginnings to the highest of Hollywood accolades. His was an incredible journey. Achieved through the sheer power of his determination, strong will, irrepressible energy and charm and a rarely matched love for the art of film.”
On the other hand, Teller stated, “It was an honor and a privilege to portray Al in The Offer. Al lived a life most could only dream of and all would envy.”
Reflecting on the producer's passing, Al Pacino stated, “Al Ruddy was absolutely beautiful to me the whole time on The Godfather; 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.”
“He was a great friend of mine and I will deeply miss him,” said Eastwood, who starred in and directed Million Dollar Baby. On the other hand, Hilary Swank, who also starred in Million Dollar Baby, stated, “It was the best of times working with [Al]. He will always be a legend in my and everyone’s book.”
He last produced 2021's drama Cry Macho, starring and directed by Eastwood.