Jeannot Szwarc, French Director of ‘Jaws 2’ and ‘Somewhere in Time,’ Dies at 85

As a cinephile reminiscing, I’m sad to share that Jeanette Schwartz, the renowned French director behind “Jaws 2,” “Somewhere in Time,” and “Supergirl,” took his final bow on Wednesday. At 85 years young, he left us with a cinematic legacy that will live on.

Jane Seymour, who starred as Elise McKenna in Szwarc’s 1980 movie “Somewhere in Time,” made this announcement official.

Today marks the farewell to an exceptional visionary – Jeannot Szwarc. He was more than just a talented director; he was a compassionate and giving individual. Through his work, he bestowed upon us numerous classic tales, one of which, Somewhere in Time, holds a special place in my heart and has left an indelible impact on my life. I hope that his spirit will continue to be a source of inspiration, and that his artistic legacy will endure within our hearts. – Seymour shared in a moving Facebook post.

Born on November 21, 1939, in Paris, Szwarc spent his childhood in Argentina. He later earned a master’s degree in political science from Harvard University. Throughout his career, Szwarc has been active in both film and television, directing popular shows such as “Rockford Files,” “Columbo,” “The New Perry Mason,” and “Kojak” during the 1970s.

In 1973, he was the director of the movie “Extreme Close-Up,” followed by “Supergirl” in 1984 and “Bug” in 1975. Notably, Szwarc continued the legendary “Jaws” series with “Jaws 2.” While the film didn’t receive great reviews from critics, it raked in over $200 million worldwide.

Jeffrey Kramer posted a tribute on Instagram saying, ‘Rest In Peace, my dear JEANNOT SZWARC.’ He was an exceptional and exceptionally talented individual whom I had the honor of knowing!

Szwarc’s movie “Somewhere in Time,” which revolves around a playwright’s obsession with an elderly actress and his journey through time, gained significant popularity in the years after it was first shown. In this film, Seymour portrays the actress opposite Christopher Reeve, who plays the role of the playwright character.

What I found appealing about ‘Somewhere in Time’ was its scarcity of sexual content, yet abundance of genuine affection. It embodied what the French refer to as ‘l’amour fou’, or passionate, irrational love. You know, films like that are seldom produced nowadays,” Szwarc explained to LAist.

In the following stages of his career, Szwarc delved into TV direction, taking charge of several episodes for shows such as “Ally McBeal,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Or simply:

Szwarc spent later years directing TV episodes for shows like “Ally McBeal,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.

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2025-01-17 04:46