Robert McDonald; Film Maker, Ran Perry Ellis Firm

Robert L. McDonald, 45, a film maker who took over the Perry Ellis design house after its founder died in 1986. Nominated for Academy Awards for two short films, “It’s So Nice to Have a Wolf Around the House” in 1978 and “Split Cherry Tree” in 1982, McDonald began in films in 1970 making pictures appropriate for use in schools. After taking over for Ellis, McDonald became responsible for the licensing, design and marketing of the international clothing and accessory house. In New York City on March 2 of complications from AIDS.