The American actor, producer and filmmaker – responsible for cinematic landmarks such as Out of Africa, Tootsie and The Way We Were – passed
away at his Los Angeles home surrounded by his family yesterday (26.05.08).
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Pollack was diagnosed with cancer nine months ago and had been bravely battling the illness ever since.
Actor Robert Redford, who worked with Pollack on several films including Out of Africa and The Way We Were, said after learning of his late friend’s death: “My relationship with Sydney, both professionally and personally, covers 40 years. It’s too personal to express.”
Pollack originally studied acting in New York before a two-year spell in the army. After returning from service he worked as a stage actor and teacher, before moving to the West Coast of America to direct TV shows.
Pollack married one of his former students, Claire Griswold, with who he had three children.
He moved into movie directing in 1962 with War Hunt on which he met Redford.
In 1982, Pollack’s comedy Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman, received 10 Academy Award nominations, while in 1985, Out of Africa won Pollack the Oscar for Best Director.
His last big screen work was this year’s Made of Honour in which he played Patrick Dempsey’s character’s father.
