Fred Roos, the Oscar-winning producer renowned for his work on “The Godfather Part II” and for launching the careers of numerous Hollywood stars, has died at the age of 89. He passed away at his Beverly Hills home on Saturday, as confirmed by a representative on Tuesday, just days after the Cannes Film Festival premiere of his and Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film, “Megalopolis.”
Roos and Coppola collaborated for over 50 years, beginning with “The Godfather,” where Roos played a pivotal role in casting Al Pacino and James Caan, against studio wishes, and introduced Coppola to John Cazale. He also produced Coppola’s best picture nominees “The Conversation,” “Apocalypse Now,” and Parts II and III of “The Godfather.”
Coppola, paying tribute to Roos on Instagram, praised his near-infallible casting instinct and lifelong friendship. “Fred Roos possessed a casting instinct that was near infallible,” Coppola wrote on Instagram. “He was a great lifelong friend and collaborator with above all a true love for movies.”
Roos’ impact on Hollywood extended beyond the “Godfather” trilogy. While developing “Star Wars,” George Lucas consulted Roos, who suggested casting Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and James Earl Jones. Roos also helped assemble the young casts for Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and “The Outsiders,” introducing audiences to stars like Tom Cruise, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, and Patrick Swayze.
Roos had a unique talent for spotting future stars. In a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, he described his ability to spot talent as an intangible feeling. “A lot of people that I’ve been associated with are like that. Jack Nicholson. Harrison. They don’t quite fit any mold.” His discoveries also included Diane Keaton, Richard Dreyfuss, Laurence Fishburne, Emilio Estevez, Jennifer Connelly, and Alden Ehrenreich.
Born in Santa Monica on May 22, 1934, Roos grew up in Riverside and Los Angeles, attending Hollywood High and later graduating from UCLA in 1956. He served two tours in Korea with the Army, one alongside director Garry Marshall. His fascination with film led him to a job in the mailroom at MCA Inc., where he once chauffeured Marilyn Monroe. He soon transitioned to casting for television shows like “The Andy Griffith Show” and “That Girl.”
Roos’ film career took off with Richard Lester’s 1968 film “Petulia,” starring Julie Christie and George C. Scott. This breakthrough led to work with renowned directors such as John Huston (“Fat City”), Michelangelo Antonioni (“Zabriskie Point”), Monte Hellman (“Two-Lane Blacktop”), and Bob Rafelson (“Five Easy Pieces”).
His partnership with Coppola was highly fruitful, earning two best picture nominations in the same year for “The Godfather Part II” and “The Conversation,” winning for the former. Roos produced numerous films for Coppola, including “One From the Heart,” “Rumble Fish,” “The Cotton Club,” “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” and “Tetro.”
His collaboration with the Coppola family extended to producing Eleanor Coppola’s Emmy-winning documentary “Hearts of Darkness” and assisting Sofia Coppola in films like “The Virgin Suicides” and “Lost in Translation.”
Outside the Coppola realm, Roos produced Jack Nicholson’s directorial debut, “Drive, He Said,” Carroll Ballard’s “The Black Stallion,” and Agnieszka Holland’s “The Secret Garden.” He also played a role in bringing S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders” to Broadway, which recently earned 12 Tony nominations.
Roos is survived by his son, Alexander “Sandy” Roos, also his producing partner, and his wife, Nancy Drew. His son remarked that Roos was determined never to retire from the film industry and achieved his wish. “He was determined to never retire from the film business and to go with his boots on,” his son said in a statement. “He got his wish.”
