Robert Patrick Mulligan (August 23, 1925 – December 20, 2008) was an acclaimed American director and producer known for his sensitive dramas including iconic films like To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Summer of '42 (1971), The Other (1972), Same Time, Next Year (1978), and The Man in the Moon (1991). Mulligan started his career as a radio operator in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Fordham University and began his journey in the film industry firstly with a stint at The New York Times before moving to television.

Commencing his television career as a messenger boy for CBS television, Mulligan steadily climbed the ladder and was directing major television dramas by 1948. His notable works in television included episodes of Suspense, The Philco Television Playhouse, The Alcoa Hour, among others. Mulligan's first feature-length film was Fear Strikes Out (1957). His significant collaborations with producer Alan J. Pakula in the 1960s cemented his place in the history of cinema. His directing skills were recognized with an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination. Beyond his professional work, Mulligan was known to sometimes have conflicts with studio executives. His career was affected by a struggle with alcoholism.