Cult 1960s exploitation filmmaker and counterculture chronicler who enjoyed a mainstream critical success as the producer, writer, and director of "The Stunt Man" (1980), a giddily reflexive saga about how movies blur the distinction between illusion and reality. Starring a perfectly cast Peter O'Toole at the peak of his powers playing a perversely god-like director, the film earned three Oscar nominations including Best Screenplay and Best Direction and won its star a National Film Critics Circle Award. Despite this triumph, Rush would not get to direct again for 14 years.Rush worked as a
Feature debut, produced, directed, wrote the screenplay, and provided the story for "Too Soon to Love"; first of three collaborations with actor Jack Nicholson
1967
First of six collaborations with acclaimed cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, "A Man Called Dagger"
1967
Directed the first of three low-budget exploitation films for American International Pictures (AIP), "Thunder Alley"
1980
Produced, wrote, and directed the acclaimed feature, "The Stunt Man"; last film as a director for 14 years; last screenwriting credit for ten years
