Frequently makes uncredited appearances in his own movies.

Kept both One-Eyed Willie's head and a model for the ship from The Goonies (1985). Aside from directing the film , he has an uncredited cameo as one of the sheriffs on the quads as the Goonies exit the cave with the ship. He's the one with the gray hair. Producer Steven Spielberg instructed the cast members to act cold and distant toward Donner on the last week of filming which puzzled him. Shortly after filming wrapped, Donner went to his beach house in Hawaii, ran into a frenzied neighbor who took up his entire day. When he arrived home, the entire cast was there with Donner to celebrate with a cookout. Spielberg flew them over to Hawaii on the promise that they not speak a word of the surprise to Donner, which prompted them to act the way they were on the last week of filming.

Originally, Donner directed Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980) back to back, then cut back on filming the sequel to focus on finishing the first one for a Christmas release. A clash with the producers, the Salkinds, over the material led to Donner being fired before he could finish filming the second one and he was replaced with Richard Lester. Donner later estimated that he had directed 80% of the sequel and saw about 50% of his work in the theatrical film.

Co-producer of the X-Men films directed by Bryan Singer, who later directed Superman Returns (2006), a little more than 30 years after Donner himself directed the first Superman (1978) film.

Was considered to direct the first Batman film (Batman (1989)), and had actor Mel Gibson in mind for the role of Batman.

Was actively pursued by Michael Crichton to direct Jurassic Park (1993).

Was asked to direct the fourth Superman film (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)), and considered it alongside Tom Mankiewicz, who had been the writer of the first two Superman films, but ultimately both Donner and Mankiewicz declined, as they had other projects to deal with at the time.

Was offered the job of directing Never Say Never Again (1983) but turned it down according to the book "The Films of Sean Connery" by Philip Lisa and Lee Pfeiffer.

Actor Steve Kahan is his cousin. Kahan has appeared in 12 of his movies.