Jeannot Szwark, the French director known for directing “Jaws 2,” “Somewhere in Time” and “Supergirl,” died on Wednesday. He was 85 years old.
Jane Seymour, who played Elise McKenna in Szwarc’s 1980 film “Somewhere in Time,” confirmed the news.
“Today, we say goodbye to a true visionary. Jannot Szwark was not only a brilliant director, he was a kind and generous soul. He gave us many timeless stories, including Somewhere in Time, a film that changed my life forever.” “May his memory be a blessing, and may his works of art live in our hearts,” Seymour wrote in a Facebook post.
Szwark was born on November 21, 1939 in Paris and grew up in Argentina. He graduated from Harvard University with a master’s degree in political science. Szwark has worked in both film and television, including directing shows such as “The Rockford Files,” “Columbo,” “The New Perry Mason” and “Kojak” in the 1970s.
He directed the feature films “Extreme Close Up” in 1973, “Supergirl” in 1984, and “Bug” in 1975. Szwarc most notably took on the popular “Jaws” franchise with “Jaws 2.” Although the film did not receive stellar critical response, it grossed over $200 million globally.
“Rest in peace dear Jeannot Szwark,” Jaws and Jaws 2 actor Jeffrey Kramer wrote on Instagram. “One of the kindest, most talented souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!”
Schwark’s play Somewhere in Time, about a playwright’s infatuation with an older actress and then time travel, has become a classic in the decades since its release. Seymour plays the actress opposite Christopher Reeve as the playwright character.
“What I loved about ‘Somewhere in Time’ was that there was a little sex, but there was a lot of love. It was really what the French call crazy love. You know, they don’t make pictures like that anymore.”
Szwark continued to work in television in later years, directing episodes of “Ally McBeal,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”