Al Ruddy, legendary The Godfather producer, dies aged 94 as Al Pacino leads tributes-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Al Ruddy has died at the age of 94 (Picture: GETTY)

Oscar-winning The Godfather producer Al Ruddy has died at the age of 94 after a brief illness.

Ruddy also co-created CBS sitcom Hogan’s Heroes and produced best picture academy award-winner Million Dollar Baby.

He was recently portrayed in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, played by Miles Teller.

The filmmaker passed away at on May 25 at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center after a brief illness, a family spokesman announced to US publications.

‘To his contemporaries in the business, Ruddy is best remembered for his easy-going nature, his undeniable comedic sense and his undying interest in people and the stories we tell,’ his family told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘Among his last words [were], “The game is over, but we won the game”.’

Ruddy’s family also shared some of his final words (Picture: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Turner)

He also produced the first Western with all female leads (Madeleine Stowe, Mary Stuart Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore) in Bad Girls (1994). as well as the baseball comedy The Scout of the same year, starring Albert Brooks and Brendan Fraser.

Al Pacino led a flood of tributes from Hollywood stars, as he said: ‘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.’

Clint Eastwood also remembered Ruddy in a statement, writing: ‘He was a great friend of mine and I will deeply miss him.’

Million Dollar Baby star Hilary Swank said: ‘It was the best of times working with [Al]. He will always be a legend in my and everyone’s book.’

Respecting Ruddy’s wishes, no public funeral service will take place. 

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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