Richard L. O’Connor Dies: ‘The Muppet Movie’ Executive Was 96

Richard L. O’Connor, an Emmy-winning producer known for his work as an executive in charge of productions like “The Muppet Movie,” “On Golden Pond” and “Hickey & Boggs,” died July 22 in Palm Desert, California. He was 96.

O’Connor’s death was confirmed to Variety by his family.

O’Connor won an Emmy back in 1990 for his work on “A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story.” He also received nominations for producing “The Final Days,” a chronicle of Richard Nixon’s last months in the White House, and “Fatal Vision,” a miniseries starring Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden and Barry Newman.

As an executive in charge of production, O’Connor’s credits include “Across 110th Street,” “Raise the Titanic,” “Borderline,” “Hard Country” and “Barbarosa,” along with multiple TV movies like “Sanctuary of Fear,” “Friendly Fire” and an adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

His work as a producer spanned across the ’70s into the 2000s, with credits on “Run, Joe, Run,” “NBC Special Treat,” “Shades of LA,” “Children of the Dark” and “Voices from the Grave.” On his last project, 2001’s “Face Value,” he was credited as co-executive producer.

O’Connor retired after multiple decades in the business and lived out his years near San Francisco’s Botanical Gardens. He was born in San Francisco on Jan. 7, 1930. Along with his twin brother, Don, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. O’Connor eventually moved to Los Angeles, getting his start at CBS Television City in the mailroom.

O’Connor is survived by daughters Kathleen, Triglia and Karen, stepchildren Kate, Marc and Matt, and grandchildren Rachael, Kayleigh, Seth and Joshua.