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Robert Wise Obituary

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Robert Wise, who won four Oscars as producer and director of the classic 1960s musicals "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music," died Wednesday. He was 91.

Wise died of heart failure after falling ill and being rushed to the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, family friend and longtime entertainment agent Lawrence Mirisch said.

Mirisch said Wise had appeared in good health when he celebrated his 91st birthday Saturday.

Wise was nominated for seven Oscars during a career that spanned more than 50 years. Besides the four wins, he was nominated for editing the 1941 Orson Welles classic "Citizen Kane," directing 1958's "I Want to Live!" and producing 1966's "The Sand Pebbles," which was nominated for best picture.

More recently, he served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Directors Guild of America.

Wise directed 39 films in all, ranging from science fiction ("The Day the Earth Stood Still") to drama ("I Want to Live!") to war stories ("Run Silent Run Deep") to Westerns ("Tribute to a Bad Man").

With the big-budget productions "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music," he helped create two of the most critically acclaimed and popular musicals of all time.

Born Sept. 10, 1914, in Winchester, Ind., Wise dropped out of college during the Depression after his brother, an accountant at RKO, helped get him a job at the studio.


Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Sep. 15, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wise

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25 Entries

Blessings on your brilliant accomplishments, Robert Wise! From scaring me to death in The Haunting to thrilling me with West Side Story and The Sound of Music, I will continue to be an ardent fan for years to come. My family has very proud ties to your work, as my mother. Ada Beth Lee, portrayed Sister Catherine in the number How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria in The Sound of Music, surely one of the world’s most beloved films. And my Dad, Bill Lee, provided every single singing note for Christopher Plummer, Georg Von Trapp, in the same movie. We were always so proud of that and thrilled for the film’s vast and ongoing success. My mother just loved her filming days and spoke so happily of how wonderful you were to work for. What else can I say to you but thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. Love always, Diana Lee, New Years Day 2023

Diana Lee

Coworker

January 1, 2023

You honored cinema as few others did. RIP and THANK YOU.

Kevin Farrell

Other

January 14, 2022

I have admired Robert Wise for years.
What a Brilliant Human Being.
Thank You For All The Great Work You Left us, They Will Last Forever...

M Reilly

August 31, 2019

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Harry Simpson

September 14, 2016

For Robert...

WEEP NOT FOR ME


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.

I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.

Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.


© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California

March 18, 2010

Richard H. Herrick

January 19, 2009

Cinema has lost an artist in the passing of Mr Robert Wise. Heaven has gained an angel.

You gave my cinematic life meaning.

Kevin Farrell
England Great Britain

Kevin Farrell

December 8, 2007

Dear Mr. Wise,

May your Passion, Patience, and Perserverance live on to inspire the next generation of Film makers. As a Graduate of our shared alma mater of Connersville High School, you have inspired me to follow in you footsteps. I hope that one day, after I graduate, to be as successful as you have. God Bless you and your family.

Sean Klemme
CHS 2004

Sean Klemme

November 30, 2006

Dear Bob,

Your legacy as a humanitarian is reflected in the wonderful moments of cinema which you have so eloquently left audiences of movies to enjoy forever.

Your consummate professionalism can be found in every aspect of "The Sound of Music".It remains one of the most popular films of all time and will continue to enjoy that rare honor as new generations discover this inspiring film.

Thank you for making our lives a little kinder, gentler, and allowing the human spirit to soar as Julie Andrews so brilliantly captured in the soaring opening.

May you continue to be honored and may your family be richly blessed.

Sincerely, Eric K. James

Eric James

March 20, 2006

As a fellow Hoosier and a student at Franklin College in 1997, I had the opportunity and pleasure to dine with Dr. Wise, a great and humble man. His art, his legacy, will continue to delight and inspire generations. Thanks for a lovely evening and the encouragement to pursue my own little sound.

Sonya Baker-Hallett

September 19, 2005

I will always remember Robdert now always as a great director but as a great man, a complete human being. We're going to miss you, Robert, but your art will be with us always.

Randall Kahn

September 18, 2005

To the Family of Robert Wise.

My Condolences for Your Great Loss. Some of My Favorites were; The Day the Earth Stood Still, Citizen Kane, West Side Story, The Sand Pebbles, and The Sound of Music. Such a Great Director & Producer. He Will be Well Missed, But Never Forgotten,

Elliott Mednick

Elliott Mednick

September 16, 2005

You were my mentor in Directing at the first ever Tahoe Film Director's workshop in 1975. Since that time I have produced many media programs. You will be missed by all who are silent directors.

Joseph Padua

September 16, 2005

As co-executor (with Heidi Crane)of the Stanley Musgrove Estate, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wise on a number of occasions: one at USC saluting "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (still my favorite Robert Wise film), and later at the 25th anniversary screening of Star!--a great picture that audiences failed to support. I also introduced Bob to a Sound of Music lover on Thanksgiving Day, circa 1992, at the Regency Club--Bob made the youngster's day. It was a pleasure to know and meet such a warm, kind individual. Heaven is lucky to have him aboard!

David Paluska

September 16, 2005

MR. WISE

THANK YOU, WEST SIDE STORY AND THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MY TWO FAVORITE MUSICALS, IN THAT ORDER. BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. BE AT PEACE WITH THE LORD. THERE ARE REASONS WHY EACH OF US ARE BORN,,,,YOURS IS OBVIOUS.



P.S.

"THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUND I EVER HEAR" AND "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE"



THANKYOU AGAIN

BILL

September 16, 2005

Your ability to bring to life "The Sound of Music" has blessed me, my children and now my grandchildren. God Bless your family during this time.

Connie Pressler

September 16, 2005

CITIZEN KANE, THE HAUNTING, WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and expecially to me ... THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL have made indelible impressions upon my life. Robert Wise's cinematic skills and versitality have been unsurpassed.



But even more important, he was one of the friendliest and most humble men I have ever met.

Richard Fry

September 16, 2005

Robert Wise, made so many happy

his movies were very good

May HE Rest in PEACE

Katherine Goodrich

September 16, 2005

Thank you for your outstanding work in West Side Story and The Sound of Music.I have both record albums in my collection as part of greatest music of all time.



May you have peace with God.



May God bless the Wise family at this most difficult time.

Mike Dugan

September 15, 2005

Thank you for the best movie ever, The Sound Of Music. I can picture your name written across the screen. Goodbye...

C Wendell

September 15, 2005

Dear Bob and Jackie,

It's been many years since Norfolk. We want to send our love and condolences. Cynthia lost her dad 10 years ago. It's very hard. You and the children are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Bill and Cynthia Matthews

September 15, 2005

Dear Mr. Wise, the first time I was really frightened by a film was when I was 10 and saw your classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. The first time I became aware of true film editing genius was when I saw CITIZEN KANE. And the first time I kept humming a move tune was after seeing WEST SIDE STORY. Your gifts to us will endure forever. May God bless you. Respectfully, Darrell Hovious

darrell hovious

September 15, 2005

Thanks for beautiful memories during my high school days. West Side Story was the first movie I saw in the "big screen"! What a joy! You and your work will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace!

Sharon Todhunter

September 15, 2005

DEAR MR. WISE



THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES OF ALL YOUR MOVIES FROM THE SOUND OF MUSIC TO THE LONG LIST OF OTHERS. MAY YOU LIVE A LONG LIFE WITH YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN AND AND SING MANY SOUNDS OF MUSIC IN HEAVEN. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.

JODI HEWITT

September 15, 2005

Goodbye Mr. Wise.



Without your contributions my formative years would have been seriously lacking in the values your work portrayed that became a part of me.



May Heaven be alive with the sound of your music. Thank you. Rest well.

Al Lees

September 15, 2005

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