Jon Landau, American film producer of Titanic fame dies at 63!
American award-winning film producer, Jon Landau, who produced some of the box office hit movies passed away on 5th July 2024. He was just 63 years of age at the time of his death.
Jon Landau dies at 63
American Oscar-winning film producer, Jon Landau, died on Friday 5th July 2024. He was just 63 years of age. Jon was diagnosed with cancer one year back and had been on treatment for it.
Jon’s sister, Tina took to social media to announce his premature death and confirm it. She wrote:
“My heart is broken but also bursting with pride & gratitude for his most extraordinary life, and the love and gifts he gave me – and all who knew him or his films,”
Tina also referred to the departed soul as “the best brother a girl could ever dream of”.
Jon’s life and career
Jon was born on 23 July 1960 in New York City, the USA. He is the son of film producer, Edie and Ely A Landau, who was also a producer as well as a studio executive. He has two biological sisters, Tina Landau and Kathy Landau. Additionally, he has two half-brothers, Neil Landau and Les Landau.
Jon is of Jewish ethnicity and had done his studies from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In the early part of 1990s, Jon was the executive vice president of feature film production at 20th Century Fox. He was the overseer of films such as The Last of the Mohicans and Due Hard 2 that the company produced during that time.
Jon’s fame came when he produced Titanic that released in 1997 and became the highest earning movie ever. Its box office collections had crossed USD 1 billion. He got the National academy award for it. He also co-produced Avatar in 2008 and Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022 with James Cameron. These two films broke Titanic’s record too.
Subsequently, Jon co-produced Honey, I Shrunk the kids, Dick Tracy etc. All of these were also hit films. Jon was in a senior management post in James Cameron’s production firm, Lightstorm Entertainment.
Jon had produced Avatar 3, Avatar 4, and Avatar 5. These films will release after his death.
Jon’s wife is Julie since last 40 years and they have two children together: sons Jamie and Jodie.
Tributes pour in for Jon
Jon’s friend and co-producer, James told Hollywood reporter:
“A great producer and a great human being has left us.”
“Jon Landau believed in the dream of cinema. He believed that film is the ultimate human art form, and to make films you have to first be human yourself,”
“He will be remembered as much for his vast generosity of spirit as for the movies themselves.”
Director Sir Peter Jackson and his screenwriter wife Fran Walsh stated:
“We are devastated by the loss of Jon Landau.”
“Jon brought unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for years to come.”
American actress, Zoe Saldana wrote on her Instagram:
“Your death is hitting really hard”.
“Your wisdom and support shaped so many of us in ways we will always be grateful for.”