Remembering Eleanor Coppola: Accomplished Filmmaker and Beloved Partner of Francis Ford Coppola

Los Angeles Premiere Of "Paris Can Wait"

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Eleanor Coppola, the wife of director Francis Ford Coppola and an award-winning filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 87.

The Coppola family announced her peaceful passing at her home in Rutherford, California on Friday, April 12. Eleanor was surrounded by her loved ones at the time. The cause of her death was not disclosed.

Eleanor was born in Los Angeles, California on May 4, 1936. She grew up in Orange County before moving back to L.A. to attend UCLA. It was there that she met her husband Francis, 84, while he was working on the set of his 1963 horror film, Dementia 13, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The couple got married in February of that year and have three children together. They had a son named Gian-Carlo, who tragically passed away at the age of 22 in a boating accident in 1986. They also have two surviving children, Roman, 58, and Sofia, 55.

Eleanor always had an interest in film, but it wasn’t until she started filming behind-the-scenes footage of her husband Francis' award-winning movie Apocalypse Now that she found her true passion for the craft.

In her book Notes: The Making of Apocalypse Now, Eleanor mentioned how she wasn't sure if Francis was keeping her busy or trying to avoid hiring a professional crew. It could have been both reasons for involving her in the filming process.

Eleanor won an Emmy Award in 1992 for Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Directing for Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse, thanks to the footage she captured on the set of her husband’s 1978 war film.

In 2017, Eleanor shared with Deadline that the idea for the film began with documenting Apocalypse Now. Despite having only made small art films in the early ’70s, she found herself captivated by the camera she used in the Philippines. This led her to create various documentaries, as she had always enjoyed filming.

Eleanor not only directed Hearts of Darkness but also made documentaries about the making of her daughter Sofia's films The Virgin Suicides in 1999 and Marie Antoinette in 2006. She also directed the romantic comedy Paris Can Wait in 2016. Her most recent director credit was Love Is Love Is Love in 2020.

Last October, Sofia chose to skip the New York Film Festival where her film Priscilla was being screened in order to spend time with her mother.

“I’m so sorry to not be there with you, but I’m with my mother, to whom this film is dedicated,” the writer-director wrote in a statement read by producer Youree Henley at the time.

Editor's P/S:

The passing of Eleanor Coppola, a pioneering filmmaker and the matriarch of the Coppola family, has left an irreplaceable void in the world of cinema. Her contributions to the art form, particularly her groundbreaking work on "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse," have cemented her legacy as a visionary artist. Eleanor's unwavering passion for filmmaking and her ability to capture the raw humanity behind the scenes of iconic films have inspired countless aspiring filmmakers. Her death is a profound loss for the industry and for those who cherished her spirit.

Beyond her filmmaking prowess, Eleanor was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was the cornerstone of her life, and her passing will undoubtedly leave an immeasurable void in their hearts. Her legacy will continue to live on through her children, Roman and Sofia, both of whom have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Eleanor's indomitable spirit, her love of life, and her unwavering support for her family and friends will forever be remembered and celebrated.