Roland Bautista was an American guitarist who was best known for his work with Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the most successful and influential bands of all time. He also collaborated with many other artists, such as Ronnie Laws, The Crusaders, George Duke, and Randy Crawford, and released two solo albums in the 1970s. He was a versatile and talented musician who played various genres, such as jazz, R&B, soul, pop, rock, and blues. He died on February 29, 2012, at the age of 60, from natural causes. How did he live his life and what did he leave behind?
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A Passion for Music from an Early Age
Roland Bautista was born on May 30, 1951, in Mülhausen, Alsace, Germany (now Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France). He was the older brother of William Wyler, a famous film director. He moved to the United States in 1920 and started working as a producer in 1928. He also tried his hand at directing in the early 1930s, but without much success.
He found his niche as an associate producer and a screenwriter for his brother’s films in the late 1940s and 1950s. He was involved in some of the most celebrated films of that era, such as The Heiress (1949), which won four Oscars, including Best Actress for Olivia de Havilland; Detective Story (1951), which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay; Roman Holiday (1953), which launched Audrey Hepburn’s career and won three Oscars; Friendly Persuasion (1956), which was nominated for six Oscars; Ben-Hur (1959), which won a record-breaking 11 Oscars; and The Collector (1965), which won an Oscar for Best Actress for Samantha Eggar.
He was also a producer for some of his brother’s later films, such as Funny Girl (1968), which starred Barbra Streisand; The Liberation of L.B. Jones (1970), which was his brother’s last film; and The Children’s Hour (1961), which was based on a controversial play by Lillian Hellman.
A Successful Career in Hollywood
Robert Wyler was born on September 25, 1900, in Mülhausen, Alsace, Germany (now Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France). He was the older brother of William Wyler, a famous film director. He moved to the United States in 1920 and started working as a producer in 1928. He also tried his hand at directing in the early 1930s, but without much success.
He found his niche as an associate producer and a screenwriter for his brother’s films in the late 1940s and 1950s. He was involved in some of the most celebrated films of that era, such as The Heiress (1949), which won four Oscars, including Best Actress for Olivia de Havilland; Detective Story (1951), which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay; Roman Holiday (1953), which launched Audrey Hepburn’s career and won three Oscars; Friendly Persuasion (1956), which was nominated for six Oscars; Ben-Hur (1959), which won a record-breaking 11 Oscars; and The Collector (1965), which won an Oscar for Best Actress for Samantha Eggar.
He was also a producer for some of his brother’s later films, such as Funny Girl (1968), which starred Barbra Streisand; The Liberation of L.B. Jones (1970), which was his brother’s last film; and The Children’s Hour (1961), which was based on a controversial play by Lillian Hellman.
A Loving Husband and Father
Robert Wyler married actress Cathy O’Donnell on July 26, 1948. She was best known for her roles in some of his brother’s films, such as The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), They Live by Night (1948), Detective Story (1951), and Ben-Hur (1959). They had no children together but adopted two sons: David Wyler and William Wyler Jr.
They were a devoted couple who supported each other’s careers and shared a passion for art and culture. They lived in Beverly Hills until Cathy O’Donnell died on their 22nd wedding anniversary on July 26, 1970. She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 46.
Robert Wyler was devastated by her death and never remarried. He continued to work as a producer until his retirement in the late 1970s. He died on January 17, 1971, at the age of 70, nine months after his wife passed away. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but it was reported that he had been ill for some time.
He was buried next to his wife at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His brother William Wyler died in 1981 and was also buried there.
A Legacy of Excellence and Creativity
Robert Wyler was a respected and influential figure in the film industry who contributed to some of the most memorable and acclaimed movies of all time. He was a skilled producer and a talented writer who had a keen eye for quality and a flair for storytelling. He worked with some of the best actors and directors of his era and helped shape the history of cinema.
He was also a loving husband and father who cherished his family and friends. He was a cultured and generous man who enjoyed art, music, literature, and travel. He left behind a legacy of excellence and creativity that will be remembered and admired for generations to come.
