Sydney Pollack: Stars pay tribute
Story by Jack Foley
TOM Cruise, Paul Newman and Sally Field are among the stars to have paid tribute to late filmmaker Sydney Pollack, who died on Monday, at the age of 73.
The producer, director and sometime actor had been suffering from cancer and passed away at his LA home in the presence of his family.
In a career marked by critical acclaim and an Oscar win – for 1985’s Out Of Africa – Pollack got to work with many of the greats. And they were quick to pay tribute to his legacy.
Tom Cruise, who was directed by Pollack in The Firm and starred alongside him in Eyes Wide Shut, said: “Throughout the years, unpretentious and never condescending, he shared with me what he loved about family, storytelling, food, flying and a great bottle of vino. He was a Renaissance man and a great friend.”
Paul Newman, who starred in Absence of Malice, described Pollack as “a very special person”, adding: “The thing that impressed me was that he was special enough so that he didn’t have to think that he was.”
Newman’s co-star, Sally Field, said that being directed by him was “a great gift” and continued: “He was a good friend and a phenomenal director and I will cherish every moment that I ever spent with him.”
Singer and actress Barbra Streisand, who was directed by Pollack in The Way We Were, added: “He knew how to tell a love story – he was a great actor’s director because he was a great actor.”
Nicole Kidman, meanwhile, referred to Pollack as “a true connoisseur of life”. The actress, who also starred alongside him in Eyes Wide Shut, and was directed by him for thriller The Interpreter – the first film shot at UN headquarters – added: “He was elegant, a gentleman, smart and generous, a wonderful actor, a great cook… He guided me artistically and personally, not just as a director or producer but as a mentor and friend.”
George Clooney, who appeared alongside Pollack in the Oscar-nominated Michael Clayton, said: “Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better. A tip of the hat to a class act. He’ll be missed terribly.”
Pollack had also served as executive producer on Clooney’s most recent film, Leatherheads.
A further tribute was paid by Oscar-winning actor and long-time friend Martin Landau, who said: “We started together in New York and he always excelled at everything he set out to do, his friendships and his humanity as much as his talents.”
Robert Redford, though, said it was difficult to sum up their relationship with a soundbite. The actor worked with the director on a total of seven films – including Out Of Africa – during which time they formed a close friendship.
“Sydney’s and my relationship both professionally and personally covers 40 years,” Redford said. “It’s too personal to express in a sound bite.”
Pollack’s last screen appearance was in the romantic comedy Made of Honour, where he played the on-screen father of star Patrick Dempsey.