Tabloid reports that director Sydney Pollack has terminal cancer
September 8th, 2007 by Scott Marks
The National Enquirer is reporting that two-time Oscar winner Sydney Pollack’s (They Shoot Horses Don’t They?, The Way We Were, Out of Africa) stomach cancer has metastasized.
Mr. Pollack, 73, a beloved and well established Hollywood director, is also a major player in the Indie circuit as well as a superb character actor in his own right. Mr. Pollack is almost as famous for producing (Sense and Sensibility, Heaven, Cold Mountain) and acting (Husbands and Wives, Eyes Wide Shut, Michael Clayton) in others’ films as he is for making his own.
Emulsion Compulsion is truly saddened by the prospect of having to dig a hole for Mr. Pollack.
UPDATE: 2/5/08, Sydney Pollack hospitalized
Sidney Pollack obituary 5/27/08
photos: Sydney Pollack
Tags: Cancer, Director, National Enquirer, Sydney Pollack. Photos, Sydney_Pollack
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My Grandpa is a great man. He is strong and will fight till the end.
Your grandfather has a great many fans pulling for him with their prayers, Gracie. Be strong for him. Please pass on our kind thoughts.
I met Sydney Pollack on Feb.7th 1957 at Ft Dix NJ.
From Ft Dix we went to Ft Carson, Colorado for eight weeks of basic training. Our company commander was Captain L. Dodd who was a congressional medal of honor reciptient.
Sydney told me he was an actor. He use to imitate
the sergeants,and had all of us laughing!! He was appointed our squard leader.
He made basic training fun for us because it was not easy to go thru those eight weeks.
I hope that he can beat this cancer,if indeed he has it.
I wish him the best,and thank him for the eight or nine weeks I spent with him.
Joe Berte
I had also met Sydney Pollack a few years ago at a function at DGA. I was with my girlfriend at the time and saw Mr. Pollack chatting with a couple of people and was immediately intimidated. My girlfriend, who was more open than I ever could be, dragged me over and introduced myself. I was petrified, to be certain, but he was very nice and very charming. We had a lively ten minute conversation before we scuttled off. I was sad to hear this; I sure hope he beats it.
His granddaughter has been checking this thread and I hope she passes these messages on to Mr. Pollack. He’s still going strong on screen with a superb performance in “Michael Clayton.”
Since I’m not a reader of the trades, I only heard about Sydney’s illness today via my agent. Sydney is my hero…he’s everything I’ve ever aspired to be in this business…multi-talented on so many levels, but also such a humane and forthright human being. Whenever I’ve gotten into a room with execs or story people and been asked what I want for myself in the film industry, I have always said (and will always say): “I want to be like Sydney Pollack!”
With all the smarmy crap I toss on this website, it’s quite rewarding to see that the one entry that drew the biggest response is this one. You have exceptional taste in mentors, Jamie. Can’t wait to see “Pay Up, Cheaters!” I’m a Beat Farmers fan myself!
say it aint so. I’ve had great respect for sydney ever since I fell in love with Tootsie decades ago.
he’s a fine director but an even better actor.
i am devastated to hear about mr pollack’s illness.he is someone i always found deeply human, talented and inspiring. he is as great an actor as he is a director or a producer. all my thoughts with him and his family. sydney you have fans all over the world, i do not know a film fan who does not love you, may the force be with you, you will beat the beast.
A “Star Wars” reference, Raoul?!?!? Don’t you want the man to recover?
What a tragic loss that would be not only to the film industry but to the world of humanity. By all accounts Sydney Pollack is not only a great filmmaker but a great, kind, generous man. Everything I’ve ever read said he was always willing to help those new in the industry. To lose him would be to lose a great mentor.
Gracie, tell your Grandfather to fight! We’re all pulling for him.
Anne
He was arguably the best thing about “Tootsie” and “Eyes Wide Shut”. Sorry I haven’t responded until now.
A highly neglected director!
These comments really mean alot. I looked at this sight for my film class today. Me and my friends are truly touched by the comments along with the rest or my family. Im sad to report that me grand-father has not gotten any better. He is in the hospital currently.
He really is the best grand-father and i am truly lucky to have him in my life..
Hang in there, Gracie!
May all of the blessings available be with you and your family at this dark hour.
Gracie,
Our prayers and thoughts are with your grandfather today.
Gracie, your grandfather and your family are in our prayers. He is loved and respected not just by you, his loving family, but by is millions of fans around the world. He’s made some of my favorite movies as a director and producer, but I love him even more as an actor if that’s possible. Your grandfather is a true mensch and rarity in this world. As lucky as you are to have him as your grandfather is as proud and lucky he must feel to have you as his granddaughter. You are such a lovely young woman. Please let him know how many people love and admire him and wish him well.
Dear Gracie,
I knew your grandfather, growing up in South Bend, Indiana. He was a very good friend and classmate of my brother, Joe. He was often at our house for my mother’s pizza. My thoughts and prayers are with him as well as his family.
Gracie, I’m deeply saddened to hear your last report. Your grandfather is such a great man and he has made films that have touched my heart, warmed my soul, and stimulated my intellect. Please give him a kiss from all of us and tell him that his many fans are thinking of him and sending prayers. Give our love to all your family. They have much support from all of us. Betsy
Gracie, if we can send cards to him, please post an address where they might be collected and delivered. Betsy
DEAR GRACIE YOUR GRANDFATHER AND I WERE THE BEST OF FREINDS IN HIGH SCHOOL..YOUR GREAT GRANDFATHER HAD A DRUG STORE IN MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD(MOSTLY ITALIANS)..THAT IS WHERE I FIRST MET SYD.I SPENT MANY NIGHTS AT HIS HOUSE ON DEMUADE STREET..YOUR GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS A VERY NICE LADY AND TREATED ME VERY KINDLY..PLEASE SAY HELLO TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER.SHE MAY REMEMBER ME FROM WHEN THEY CAME HERE FOR SYDS DADS FUNERAL SOME YEARS BACK.TELL YOUR GRANDFATHER THAT SINCE I FIRST HEARD OF HIS ILLNESS THAT I’VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT HIS CONDITION ON THE INTERNET..PLEASE TELL HIM THAT MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIM AND THAT I LOVE HIM….
Sydney Pollack is a brilliant director, actor and visionary. He is an American Legend. Fight with all your might!
I’m not familiar with much of his work or his life, since the only movies of his that I’ve seen are “Tootsie” and “Eyes Wide Shut”, but I will always be grateful to him for his role in launching Geena Davis’s career by casting her in “Tootsie”. She has long been my favorite actress and meant a great deal to me in my youth and now. Mr. Pollack and his family will be in my prayers.
I had NO idea…I’m so saddended by this! Sydney has long been one of my all time favorite directors, he is no doubt a filmmaking LEGEND. And in recent years I always loved seeing him on-screen as well. My thoughts and prayers go to Mr.Pollock and his family , for whatever the Lord may bring, be strong and know that countless others out here send their love!
Joseph Lepresto.. my grandpa has written something for me to send to you.. please email me so i can send this letter to you.. thanks
DEAR GRACIE PARKER….YOU OR SYD CAN E-MAIL ME AT LINCHOT@COMCAST.NET….I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT TO HEAR FROM MY BEST FRIEND DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL DAYS…..JOSEPH LUPRESTO
A great director and a very fine actor. Few films move me to go the cinema, but his always did. His performance in “Tootsie” was wonderful and always comes to mind when I think of the film. His performance in Michael Clayton was another great one. He had a gift for recognizing a good story and produced and directed films that were thoughful and insightful, funny and enteraining, suspenceful and romantically poignant. Mr. Pollack you are good. God bless.
Today is a very sad day as film industry lost one of its greatest actor and director.
Dear Gracie ( pollacks grand-daughter),
As an Iranian from Tehran please accept my condulence and deep sorrow in this hard time for you and your family.
God bless his soul and his family.
Another great man taken from us. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope he was in no pain when he left. He will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts and in his movies.
God Bless