NEW YORK — Albert S. Ruddy, a colorful, Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for"The Godfather" and"Million Dollar Baby," developed the raucous prison-sports comedy"The Longest Yard" and helped create the hit sitcom"Hogan's Heroes," has died at age 94.
Otherwise, he had a mix of successes such as"The Longest Yard," which he produced and created the story for, and such flops as the Arnold Schwarzenegger thriller"Sabotage." He worked often with Burt Reynolds, starting with"The Longest Yard" and continuing with two"Cannonball Run" comedies and"Cloud Nine." Besides"Hogan's Heroes," his television credits include the movies"Married to a Stranger" and"Running Mates.
Ruddy agreed to remove a single, gratuitous mention of the word"mafia" and to make a donation to the Italian American Civil Rights League. Colombo was so pleased that he urged Ruddy to appear with him at a press conference announcing his approval of the movie, a gathering that led to Ruddy's being photographed alongside members of organized crime.
“Al Ruddy was absolutely beautiful to me the whole time on ‘The Godfather’; even when they didn’t want me, he wanted me," Pacino said in a statement."He gave me the gift of encouragement when I needed it most and I’ll never forget it.”