Robert Chartoff, the Oscar-winning movie producer behind the boxing classics "Rocky" and "Raging Bull," died Wednesday, associates said. He was 81.
Chartoff died at his home in Santa Monica, California, Lynn Hendee, the president of his company, Chartoff Productions. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Born in Depression-era New York City, Chartoff had been a movie producer for nearly a decade when he found his career-defining hit in 1976's "Rocky," the small-budget movie starring and written by Sylvester Stallone that became a blockbuster and won three Academy Awards including best picture.
Chartoff and his partner Irwin Winkler would go on to produce all seven movies in the "Rocky" series, including the forthcoming "Creed," which is in post-production and due for release later this year.
He kept working into his late 70s and 80s, his recent credits including 2013's "Ender's Game" with Harrison Ford and 2014's "The Gambler" with Mark Wahlberg.
He also produced a different, darker take on boxing in the Martin Scorcese-directed "Raging Bull" in 1980.
His other credits included 1983's "The Right Stuff," which won four Oscars, and 1969's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" a cult hit starring Jane Fonda.
He had five children with three different wives, and is survived by his current wife Jenny Weyman.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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