Oscar-winning Producer Fred Roos Dies at 89, Four Days Before 90th Birthday

Fred Roos, the esteemed Oscar-winning producer behind classics like The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, and Lost in Translation, passed away on Saturday in Beverly Hills at the age of 89. The news of his death comes just four days before his 90th birthday.

Roos had a long and illustrious career in the film industry, serving as a producer and executive producer for renowned filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola. He played a crucial role in the production of several iconic films, including The Conversation, One From the Heart, The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, and The Cotton Club.

Perhaps best known for his work on The Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now, Roos collaborated closely with Francis Ford Coppola, earning two Oscar nominations for Best Picture in the same year in 1974. He continued to leave his mark on the industry as an executive producer for Sofia Coppola's films, including The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, and The Bling Ring.

Roos was not only a talented producer but also a highly regarded casting director. He is credited with discovering and launching the careers of numerous actors, including Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Laurence Fishburne, Nicolas Cage, and Tom Cruise. Roos had a keen eye for talent and often recognized attributes in actors before they saw it in themselves.

Born in Santa Monica and raised in Riverside, California, Roos developed a fascination with film at a young age. He attended Hollywood High School and went on to earn a BFA from UCLA in 1956. After his graduation, Roos served in the Army, including a tour in Korea alongside future director-producer Garry Marshall.

Roos' contributions to the film industry extended beyond producing and casting. He was a revered figure on film sets, serving as a trusted advisor and consigliere to the Coppola family. His shrewd eye for talent was instrumental in selecting leads for influential films like American Graffiti, The Godfather, and Star Wars.

In addition to his professional achievements, Roos had a close personal relationship with the Coppolas. He was an executive producer on Eleanor Coppola's documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, which chronicled the tumultuous production of Apocalypse Now. Roos also helped Eleanor make her directorial debut with Paris Can Wait in 2016.

Roos' son and producing partner, Alexander Roos, continues to carry on the family legacy in the film industry through their banner, FR Productions. Fred Roos was determined never to retire from the business he loved, and he passed away with his boots on, leaving behind a lasting imprint on cinema.

As the film industry mourns the loss of this iconic producer, Fred Roos' legacy will live on through the timeless films he helped bring to life and the countless actors whose careers he championed.