An Evening with Robert Benton

April 19, 2012

An Eastern Region Special Projects Committee Event

On April 18, the DGA Eastern Region Special Projects Committee hosted a special evening in the Guild’s offices in New York with DGA and Academy Award-winning director Robert Benton.

Following an introduction by Committee Chair Raymond DeFelitta (City Island), Benton sat down with moderator Griffin Dunne (The Accidental Husband) to discuss his long career that began as a screenwriter for Arthur Penn’s 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde.

Following his success with the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Bonnie and Clyde, in 1972 Benton moved into the director’s chair with the Civil War-era western Bad Company. His subsequent feature films include: The Late Show (1977), Still of the Night (1982), Nadine (1987), Billy Bathgate (1991), Nobody's Fool (1994), Twilight (1998), The Human Stain (2003), Feast of Love (2007), the DGA and Academy Award-nominated Places in the Heart (1984), and the DGA and Academy Award-winning Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).

Known for his deft touch in eliciting sterling performances, Benton directed Jane Alexander and Justin Henry (Kramer vs. Kramer), Lindsay Crouse and John Malkovich (Places in the Heart), and Paul Newman (Nobody's Fool) to Academy Award nominations; and Sally Field (Places in the Heart), and Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep (Kramer vs. Kramer) to Oscar wins.

Benton and Dunne kept the audience enthralled, screening clips from Bad Company, The Late Show, Kramer vs. Kramer, Places in the Heart, and Nobody's Fool, then discussing the challenges he faced in the making of each.

Benton joined the DGA in 1971.

Pictures

photos by Marcie Revens

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Eastern Region Special Projects Chair Raymond DeFelitta welcomes the audience.

Director Robert Benton discusses his work with Griffin Dunne (moderator) and the DGA audience.

The audience hears about Benton’s start in the industry.

A clip from Benton’s first feature, the western/drama Bad Company.

Audience members hear Benton discuss his work on Bad Company.

Lily Tomlin received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Benton’s The Late Show.

The audience listens as Benton recalls working with Lily Tomlin and Art Carney on The Late Show.

At the age of seven, Justin Henry was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Benton’s Kramer vs. Kramer.

Dustin Hoffman (right) would win a Best Actor Academy Award for his role in Benton’s Kramer vs. Kramer.

Meryl Streep would win her first Academy Award for her role in Benton’s Kramer vs. Kramer.

An audience member learns about Benton’s challenges on Kramer vs. Kramer.

Sally Field won a Best Actress Academy Award for her role in Benton’s Places in the Heart.

Actor Paul Newman (left) received an Oscar nomination for his work in Benton’s Nobody’s Fool.

An audience member listens as Benton recalls his work with actor Paul Newman.

DGA members and guests hear about the work of director Robert Benton.

An audience member asks Benton a question about his work.

The audience gives Benton an ovation.

Director Robert Benton chats with audience members.

Moderator Griffin Dunne with Director Robert Benton.

Calendar

9/4/2025 - 9/10/2025