Jeannot Szwarc, “Jaws 2” and “Supergirl” director, dies at 87

Jeannot Szwarc, the French filmmaker known for directing films like Supergirl, Jaws 2, and Somewhere in Time, as well as numerous notable TV projects, died Tuesday at 87.

His son Sacha Szwarc, a film editor, confirmed the news in an Instagram post Friday, writing, "We are all shocked and devastated by his sudden departure. He was truly one of a kind, a humorous and joyful man. A talented director, a generous friend, a loving husband and father. We loved him very much and will miss him greatly, but he will always be with us in our hearts."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeannot Szwarc was born in Paris on Nov. 21, 1937, and got his master's from Harvard before venturing into commercial and documentary projects. His work in Hollywood began in earnest on the television side, with his first such credits coming as a writer, producer, and eventually director of a few episodes of Ironside in the late '60s.

Throughout the early 1970s, he directed episodes for a slew of shows, including It Takes a Thief, Matt Lincoln, and Sarge. He helmed seven episodes of Marcus Welby, M.D. and 19 episodes of Night Gallery, and went on to work on several TV movies.

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His first feature film credit as a director, though, came in 1973's Extreme Close-Up, which he followed with 1975's Bug, before finally stepping into Steven Spielberg's massive shoes to direct Jaws 2 in 1978. That gig kicked off the film side of his oeuvre, which went into high gear in the '80s and '90s with movies including Enigma, Supergirl, Hercule & Sherlock, and Somewhere in Time.

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The latter film was a 1980 romance starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve. Seymour paid tribute to her late director on social media Thursday, writing, "Today, we say goodbye to a true visionary. Jeannot Szwarc was not just a brilliant director but a kind and generous soul. He gifted us many timeless stories, including Somewhere in Time, a film that changed my life forever. May his memory be a blessing, and may his artistry live on in our hearts.”

In his later years, Szwarc continued to work in television, directing episodes of JAG, Scandal, Bones, Castle, Ally McBeal, Smallville, Supernatural, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Per THR, he is survived by his wife, Cara Szwarc, and sons Sacha and Stefan Szwarc.

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