Robert Mulligan Dies

I am profoundly sorry this morning to report the passing of Robert Mulligan, a film director and producer. Mulligan, 83, died of heart disease.

Many people, including my brother and my late mother, probably were more familiar with the work of his brother Richard, who was Burt on the TV series "Soap," but Mulligan directed some of my favorite films.

With his production partner, Alan Pakula, Mulligan was responsible for "Fear Strikes Out," the true story of baseball's Jimmy Piersall, and the classic film "To Kill a Mockingbird."

After splitting with Pakula, Mulligan directed the coming-of-age story "Summer of '42"; the Alan Alda-Ellen Burstyn comedy "Same Time, Next Year"; and his final effort, 1991's "The Man in the Moon," which was the debut of actress Reese Witherspoon.

He hadn't directed anything in nearly 20 years, but Mulligan will be missed by those who love good movies.