
Person
Bob Rafelson
Directing · 1933–2022 · New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Robert "Bob" Rafelson (February 21, 1933-July 23, 2022) was an American film director, writer and producer. He was most famous for directing and co-writing the film Five Easy Pieces, starring Jack Nicholson, as well as being one of the creators of the pop group and TV series, The Monkees (with Raybert/BBS Productions partner Bert Schneider). Rafelson was born in New York City, the son of a hat manufacturer. His uncle was screenwriter and playwright Samson Raphaelson. Rafelson and Nicholson have been collaborators for over thirty years. Nicholson and Rafelson wrote and produced and Rafelson directed Head, starring the Monkees, in 1968, followed by Five Easy Pieces. In subsequent years, Rafelson directed Nicholson in four more films, including The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Man Trouble (1992), and Blood and Wine (1996). Rafelson has adapted the works of legendary noir authors James M. Cain, Raymond Chandler, and Dashiell Hammett.
Known for

The Monkees
World's Oldest Flower Child (uncredited)
Film '72
Self
The Greatest Show on Earth
Producer

Leaving Las Vegas
Man At Mall

No Good Deed
Director

The Postman Always Rings Twice
Director

Poodle Springs
Director

Black Widow
Director

Blood and Wine
Director

Five Easy Pieces
Man in Elevator (uncredited)
Filmography
- 2017We Blew ItSelf
- 2010BBStory: An American Film RenaissanceSelf
- 2010Reflections of a Philosopher KingSelf
- 2010America Lost and Found: The BBS StorySelf
- 2010Soul Searching in 'Five Easy Pieces'Self
- 2009No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & VilmosSelf
- 2002No Good DeedDirector
- 2002Porn.comMatty Bonkers
- 2002AfterthoughtsSelf
- 1998Poodle SpringsDirector
- 1997Who Is Henry Jaglom?Self
- 1997Hey, Hey, We're The MonkeesSelf (archive footage)
- 1996Blood and WineDirector
- 1996Tales of EroticaRejected Customer (segment 'Wet') (uncredited)
- 1995Leaving Las VegasMan At Mall
- 1995Picture WindowsDirector
- 1995Picture Windows: Armed ResponseDirector
- 1994WetRejected Customer (uncredited)
- 1992Man TroubleDirector
- 1990Mountains of the MoonDirector
- 1988On the tracks of a filmmakerBob Rafelson
- 1987Black WidowDirector
- 1985Always … But Not ForeverSam
- 1983Notre Dame de la CroisetteSelf
- 1982MoraGangster
- 1981The Postman Always Rings TwiceDirector
- 1981ModestySelf
- 1976Stay HungryMan on a Sidewalk with Painting (uncredited)
- 1973The Mother and the WhoreProducer
- 1972The King of Marvin GardensDirector
- 1971Film '72Self
- 1971The Last Picture ShowProducer
- 1970Five Easy PiecesMan in Elevator (uncredited)
- 1968HeadSelf (uncredited)
- 1966The MonkeesWorld's Oldest Flower Child (uncredited)
- 1963The Greatest Show on EarthProducer
- 1959The World of Sholom AleichemScript Editor
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