Richard C. Sarafian

Richard C. Sarafian Headshot

Director • Actor

Birth Date: April 28, 1930

Death Date: September 18, 2013 — 83 years old

Birth Place: New York, New York

Children: Deran Sarafian

Richard C. Sarafian was an American film and television director known for his distinctive style and contributions to cult cinema. Born on April 28, 1930, in New York City, he directed numerous television episodes in the 1960s before making his mark in film. His most famous work is the 1971 road movie "Vanishing Point," a high-energy existential action film that became a cult classic.

Sarafian also directed films like "Run Wild, Run Free" (1969), "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing" (1973), and "Sunburn" (1979). His career included work as a writer and actor, with appearances in films such as "Bugsy" (1991) and "The Patriot" (1998). His style often blended realism with a dreamlike quality, making his films stand out.

He was married to Helen Joan Altman, the sister of director Robert Altman, and their son, Deran Sarafian, also became a filmmaker. Sarafian passed away on September 18, 2013, at the age of 83.

Credits

Masked and Anonymous

Actor
President
Movie
2003

Dr. Dolittle 2Stream

Voice
God Beaver
Movie
2001
41%

Picking Up the Pieces

Actor
Wino
Movie
2000

Blue StreakStream

Actor
Uncle Lou
Movie
1999
35%

Blink of an Eye

Actor
Erlik
Movie
1999

The Last Don II

Actor
Show
1998

BulworthStream

Actor
Vinnie
Movie
1998
76%

Michael Hayes

Director
Show
1997

BoundStream

Actor
Gino Marzzone
Movie
1996
87%

Miami Hustle

Actor
Henry Kronfeld
Movie
1996

Gotti

Actor
Paul Castellano
Movie
1996

Gunmen

Actor
Chief Chavez
Movie
1994

Ruby: La Tragedia de Kennedy

Actor
Movie
1992

Ruby

Actor
Proby
Movie
1992

BugsyStream

Actor
Jack Dragna
Movie
1991
84%

Solar CrisisStream

Director
Movie
1990

Street Justice

Actor
Taxi Driver
Movie
1987

Street Justice

Director
Movie
1987

Liberty

Director
Movie
1986

Eye of the Tiger

Director
Movie
1986

Foley Square

Actor
Spiro Papadopolis
Show
1985

MacGyverStream

Guest Star
Series
1985

The Bear

Director
Movie
1984

SongwriterStream

Actor
Rodeo Rocky
Movie
1984
88%

The Gangster Chronicles

Director
Show
1981

Splendor in the Grass

Director
Movie
1981

The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story

Director
Movie
1980

Disaster on the CoastlinerStream

Director
Movie
1979

Sunburn

Director
Movie
1979

The Next Man

Director
Movie
1976

One of Our Own

Director
Movie
1975

The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing

Director
Movie
1973

Lolly Madonna XXX

Director
Movie
1973

Lost Treasure

Director
Show
1971

Man in the WildernessStream

Director
Movie
1971

Vanishing Point

Director
Movie
1971
79%

Fragment of FearStream

Director
Movie
1971

Le Convoi sauvage

Director
Movie
1971

Run Wild, Run Free

Director
Movie
1969

Shadow on the Land

Director
Movie
1968

JerichoStream

Director
Series
1966

The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.Stream

Director
Series
1966
10%

Iron Horse

Director
Series
1966

BatmanStream

Director
Series
1966

Wackiest Ship in the Army

Director
Show
1965

The Trials of O'Brien

Director
Show
1965

The Wild, Wild West

Director
Series
1965

I SpyStream

Director
Series
1965

The Big ValleyStream

Director
Series
1965

Andy

Director
Movie
1965

Andy

Producer
Movie
1965

Andy

Screenwriter
Movie
1965

The Dakotas

Director
Series
1963

Terror at Black Falls

Director
Movie
1962

Ben Casey

Director
Series
1961

Dr. Kildare

Director
Series
1961

Surfside 6

Director
Series
1960

The Twilight ZoneStream

Director
Series
1959
92%

Bronco

Director
Series
1958

The Cool and the Crazy

Screenwriter
Movie
1958

CheyenneStream

Director
Series
1955

GunsmokeStream

Director
Series
1955