Robert Rafelson, a significant figure in the New Hollywood era of the 1970s who was nominated for two Oscars for “Five Easy Pieces,” has died. He was 89 years old.
Gabrielle Taurek Rafelson, the wife of film composer Jack Nitzsche, confirmed his death in a statement Sunday night. “My husband died at home surrounded by his family last night,” she said.
Rafelson was behind the creation of the fake pop music group and television series “The Monkees,” which earned him an Emmy for outstanding comedy program in 1967, along with Bert Schneider.
But he’s undoubtedly most recognized for his contributions to the New Hollywood period, which saw a return of classical studio practices give way to a crop of young intrepid voices and innovative filmmaking techniques, and helped launch the careers of Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg.
Robert Rafelson directed and co-wrote “Five Easy Pieces,” about a pianist from the upper class who wants to live a more blue-collar lifestyle, and “The King of Marvin Gardens,” about a gloomy late-night radio host. Jack Nicholson appeared in both films, which examined themes of the American Dream out
He also directed, produced, or wrote numerous essential New Hollywood films, including Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show” and Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider.”
He was even compared to Stan Lee by Francis Ford Coppola, who called him “one of the most important cinematic artists of his time.” His fans include Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
He was born in New York City and is a distant relative of “The Jazz Singer” screenwriter Samson Raphaelson, who he recalled taking an interest in his work. At Dartmouth, he met legendary screenwriter Buck Henry, who became a mentor to him.
While serving in the US Army in Japan, he became interested in Japanese cinema and the works of Yasujiro Ozu, such as “Tokyo Story.”
After college, Rafelson married his high school sweetheart and began his career in the entertainment business as a film director. In television, he wrote for shows such as “The Witness” and “The Greatest Show on Earth.” However, it was the creation of The Monkees that truly launched his career. It debuted on NBC in 1966, two years
The Monkees also made an appearance in his feature directorial debut, “Head,” which would lead to further collaborations with Nicholson.
“I may have thought I began his career,” Nicholson revealed to Esquire in 2019, “but I believe he started my own.”
His spouse, Janice Rafelson, said that the most significant thing she remembers about him was his enthusiasm for the 1990 film he directed, “Mountains of the Moon,” a biographical film which depicted the true tale of two explorers, Sir Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, as they searched for the Nile’s source.
She added, “Rafelson was inspired by his own travels to places like Morocco, India, southeast Asia, Mexico and Guatemala.
“He loved nothing more than disappearing into strange pockets of the world,” Taurek Rafelson stated.
He has four children, including two with Taurek Rafelson: Ethan and Harper. He lives in Aspen with his wife, Tari Raffelson, and their two sons. His first marriage was to actress/director Toby Rafelson from 1965 until her death in 1973 when she was 10 years old; they also had Peter and Julie.
