Ted Kotcheff, Director of ‘First Blood’ and ‘Weekend at Bernie’s,’ Dies at 94

Ted Kotcheff, the visionary filmmaker who brought John Rambo to the big screen and gave audiences one of the most offbeat comedies of the ’80s with Weekend at Bernie’s, has died at the age of 94.

Known for his wide-ranging career that spanned action, drama, and unforgettable absurdist humor, Kotcheff’s impact on film was as dynamic as his storytelling. His death was confirmed by family, marking the end of an era for one of Canada’s most influential directors.

In 1982, Kotcheff directed First Blood, the gritty, psychologically raw action film that introduced the world to Sylvester Stallone’s iconic portrayal of John Rambo. Unlike the explosion-heavy sequels that followed, First Blood was a grounded, haunting character study of a broken Vietnam veteran pushed to the edge—a film that helped redefine what an action hero could be.

Just a few years later, Kotcheff proved his versatility by flipping the script with Weekend at Bernie’s (1989), a comedy so bizarre and bold it became a cult classic. The premise—two guys pretending their dead boss is alive for an entire weekend—shouldn’t have worked. But under Kotcheff’s direction, it did. And then some.

Earlier in his career, Kotcheff made waves with The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974), a Canadian film that earned international acclaim and helped launch the career of Richard Dreyfuss. The film’s raw, energetic style became a hallmark of Kotcheff’s directorial voice—one that defied easy categorization.

Though he worked across genres, countries, and styles, Kotcheff’s real talent was in giving his characters space to unravel—whether it was through violence, ambition, or dark comedy. From Toronto to Hollywood, he carved a path few filmmakers dared to walk.

Kotcheff is remembered not just for the films he made, but for the way he moved through them—bold, thoughtful, and always surprising.

More details about his passing and legacy are expected in the coming days.