Robert Patrick Mulligan (August 23, 1925 – December 20, 2008) was an American director and producer.

He is best known for his humanist dramas, including To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Summer of '42 (1971), The Other (1972), Same Time, Next Year (1978), and The Man in the Moon (1991). He was also known in the 1960s for his extensive collaborations with producer Alan J. Pakula.

Spouses

Jane Lee Sutherland, ​(m. 1951; div. 1968)​
Sandy Mulligan, ​(m. 1971)​

Children - 3
Relatives - Richard Mulligan (brother)

Early life

Mulligan served in either the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a radio operator. At war's end, he graduated from Fordham University, then obtained work in the editorial department of The New York Times, but left to pursue a career in television.

Career

Mulligan began his television career as a messenger boy for CBS television. He worked diligently, and by 1948 was directing major dramatic television shows.

In the early 1950s he directed many episodes of Suspense. He followed this directing for The Philco Television Playhouse, Armstrong Circle Theatre, The Alcoa Hour, The United States Steel Hour, Studio One in Hollywood, Goodyear Playhouse and The Seven Lively Arts.

Before his death in 2008, Mulligan had commissioned playwright Beth Henley to write a screenplay from the novel A Long and Happy Life by Reynolds Price, which Mulligan had bought the rights to with his own money. The film was never made.

Personal life

Mulligan's first wife was Jane Lee Sutherland. Their marriage lasted from 1951 to 1968 and produced three children. His second marriage, to Sandy Mulligan, lasted from 1971 until his death. He was the elder brother of actor Richard Mulligan, whom he cast in Love with the Proper Stranger.

Mulligan's career was hurt by his battle with alcoholism. His daughter, Beth Mulligan, later stated that their life at home was "chaotic and frightening."

Death

Mulligan died of heart disease at his home in Lyme, Connecticut on December 20, 2008, at the age of 83.

He was survived by his second wife, Sandy; three children; and two grandchildren. 

One of Mulligan's surviving grandchildren is Los Angeles music producer Quentin Mulligan, also known as frumhere. One of his music albums is entitled "Same Time, Next Year". Reminiscing about his grandfather, Quentin has stated, "Grandpa was a living life."