Overview

• Ted Kotcheff, the Toronto-born director, was celebrated for his diverse filmography, including 'First Blood,' which introduced Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, and the comedy 'Weekend at Bernie’s.'
• His career began in Canadian television in the 1950s before expanding internationally with works like 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,' which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
• Kotcheff contributed significantly to television, serving as an executive producer on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' for over a decade.
• He was known for his principled approach to filmmaking, notably declining to direct sequels to 'First Blood' due to his opposition to the Vietnam War and its glorification in the scripts.
• Kotcheff passed away peacefully in Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico, surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, creativity, and integrity in the entertainment industry.