Ted Kotcheff, ‘First Blood’ and ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ director, dies at 94

Ted Kotcheff died April 10 at his home in Nuevo Vallarta , Mexico , at 94 .

The death was confirmed by his daughter Kate , but no cause was given.

His career took him to London to work on television dramas as a young director.

He eventually reached Hollywood to work with stars such as George Segal and Jane Fonda in the crime farce “ Fun with Dick and Jane ”.

Kotcheff directed " Wake in Fright " was a landmark moment in Australia 's new wave cinema.

He made a niche in wry comedies such as " Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe ?” and “First Blood” His other films included “ Uncommon ’s” ( 1983 ), starring Gene Valazaz ; “Rarely seen for decades after distributor went bankrupt; screening at Toronto Film Festival was arranged in 2009 .

During a test screening, the audience hated that conclusion, Kotcheff said in an interview with the Directors Guild of America . Weeks earlier , he and Stallone had privately worked out a rewrite with Rambo surviving which unintentionally opened the way for sequels. “I said, Well, boys,'” Kotcheff recalled, “I just happen to have this other ending here in my back pocket.'”.