Robert Benton Dies: Creator of 'Kramer vs. 'Bonnie and Clyde' Was 92

Robert Benton, co-writer of such films as "Bonnie and Clyde" and director of "Kramer vs. Kramer," has died at the age of 92.

Robert Benton was born on September 29, 1932 in Waxahachie , Texas .

In the early 1960s, he took a job at Esquire magazine as an art director , where he worked with David Newman . Together they wrote the screenplay for the famous 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde , which launched the careers of both creators.

The story of the most famous pair of thieves reportedly interested the screenwriters to such an extent that they traveled to the American provinces to talk to people who might have known the real Bonnie and Clyde . The film received a total of eight Oscar nominations, winning two statuettes for Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography.

Benton and Newman went on to write additional screenplays, including "What's Up, Pussycat?" and the original "Superman," starring Christopher Reeve , one of the first big-budget superhero films.

Robert Benton's directing credits include 11 films, including "Bad Company" , "In the Still of the Night" and "Nadine" . The most famous work in his filmography, however, remains the famous "Kramer vs. Kramer" with Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman . The film touched on social issues, such as divorce, and received very good reviews and eight Oscar nominations.

As David Newman said in a 1979 interview, all of Benton's films came from his relationships with other people.

- "Bad Company" is about our friendship and the decision to direct. "The Late Show" is about his father, and "Kramer vs. Kramer" is the story of Bob and his son, brought to the screen - he said.

Benton's last film was 2007's Love Story . The production starred Morgan Freeman , Selma Blair and Greg Kinnear .

Robert Benton died on Sunday, May 11, at his home in Manhattan . He was 92 years old. The news was confirmed to The New York Times by his assistant and manager, Marisa Forzano . The cause of death is unknown.