Well-renowned producer Al Ruddy died at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center at 94. Famous for producing films like The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby, Ruddy’s death has left his family and industry colleagues mourning and remembering his contributions to film history.

Born in 1930, Ruddy studied chemical engineering at the City College of New York before transferring to the USC School of Architecture. While studying at USC, Ruddy’s then-girlfriend exposed him to the filmmaking world in the Roger Corman film The Beast With a Million Eyes. Ruddy found work on this production as the art director, even designing the monster for about $50.

He soon got his foot in the entertainment industry door after being offered a job by Jack L. Warner while working in construction in New Jersey. After climbing his way up the ranks, Ruddy began his producing career working on TV shows like Hogan’s Heroes and The Walker. Soon, he began producing feature-length films like Wild Street and Little Fauss and Big Halst, which helped him earn more of a reputation as a producer. These films were often comedy or action-packed, especially in his war movies. This all changed with the release of The Godfather.

Through The Godfather, Ruddy earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture overall, with Clint Eastwood presenting the award. When giving his acceptance speech, Ruddy grew emotional and encouraged all young filmmakers to keep working hard in their craft. “[The Oscar is] there for everybody if we want to work, dream, and try to get it,” Ruddy explained.

Funnily enough, Eastwood and Ruddy would reunite 32 years later for the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby. Following the story of a boxer struggling to make ends meet, the film earned plenty of Oscars, including Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Director.

These achievements are also unique due to the serious gap between both movies. Deadline mentions that Ruddy is one of nine producers who have earned two Oscars throughout their careers.

Many colleagues have expressed gratitude for everything he has done for filmmaking, especially when The Godfather suffered in production. Al Pacinos described how people did not want him to play Michael Corleone. Pacino called Ruddy beautiful and thanked him for “the gift of encouragement when [he] needed it most, and [he’ll] never forget it.”

According to his wishes, there will be no funeral. Instead, his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law will hold the memorial services.