Renowned director Mark Rydell, known for 'On Golden Pond' and 'The Rose', dies at 97

Mark Rydell, a veteran of stage, screen and television, died at 97 after a distinguished career that included an Oscar nomination for directing “On Golden Pond.” He first broke through directing television episodes before moving to film with the 1967 adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s “The Fox.”

Rydell’s most celebrated projects include “The Rose,” which launched Bette Midler’s film career, and “For the Boys,” another Midler collaboration. He elicited award-winning performances from Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Marsha Mason, Sissy Spacek and Rupert Crosse. Earlier in his life he acted on Broadway and in the soap “As the World Turns,” later returning to acting in occasional film roles.