Jon Landau - the acclaimed producer behind some of Hollywood’s highest-grossing films - passed away on Friday in Los Angeles.
He was 63. His family confirmed his death through a statement provided by the Walt Disney Company, though the cause of death was not disclosed.
Landau’s illustrious career was marked by a fruitful and longstanding collaboration with visionary director James Cameron. Together, they produced box office giants such as “Titanic” and the “Avatar” series, reshaping the landscape of modern cinema.
Born on July 23, 1960, in New York City, Landau was the son of Hollywood producers Ely and Edie Landau. His early exposure to filmmaking, coupled with his education at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, laid a solid foundation for his future successes. He began his career working as a production manager on notable films like “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” (1989) and “Dick Tracy” (1990).
Rising to the role of executive vice president of feature productions at 20th Century Fox, Landau oversaw the production of popular films including “Home Alone” (1990), “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993), and “Speed” (1994). It was during his tenure at Fox that he first collaborated with Cameron on “True Lies” (1994).
Their partnership reached new heights with the release of “Titanic” in 1997. The film was a monumental success, becoming the first to gross over $1 billion globally. It was nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won 11, including Best Picture, an honor shared by Landau and Cameron. Landau’s acceptance speech humorously reflected his diverse production talents, stating, “I can’t act, I can’t compose, and I can’t do visual effects, so I guess that’s why I’m producing.”
The duo’s subsequent project, “Avatar” (2009), surpassed “Titanic” in box office earnings, grossing nearly $3 billion worldwide. The film received nine Oscar nominations and won three for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects. Its highly anticipated sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” was released in 2022.
Beyond his work with Cameron, Landau served as the chief operating officer of Lightstorm Entertainment and was instrumental in developing a Walt Disney World attraction based on the “Avatar” films.
Landau’s death has left a void in the industry. Cameron, reflecting on his friend and collaborator, told The 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.”
Landau is survived by his wife, Julie Landau, their two sons, Jamie and Jodie, his brother, Les, and his sisters, Tina and Kathy. His sister Tina, in a heartfelt social media post, described him as “the best brother a girl could ever dream of,” expressing her pride and gratitude for his extraordinary life and the love he shared with those around him.
Tributes from the film community highlight Landau’s impact and legacy. Director Sir Peter Jackson and screenwriter Fran Walsh, whose visual effects company worked on the “Avatar” films, expressed their devastation at his passing, praising his unparalleled passion and influence. Actress Zoe Saldaña, a star of the “Avatar” series, shared her sorrow on Instagram, acknowledging the profound impact of his wisdom and support.
