Producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. Passes Away At 88
Samuel Goldwyn Jr., a famed producer, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to Us Weekly, producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. passed away on Friday, January 9 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to congestive heart failure.
Goldwyn Jr. was a part of one of show business’ most famous families. According to CBS Los Angeles, Goldwyn Jr.’s father founded Paramount and what is now known as MGM Studios. While he was born into Hollywood royalty, that didn’t stop Goldwyn Jr. from making a name of his own.
The New York Times stated that Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was known for his work in the indie film industry. Goldwyn Jr. founded his own indie operation, the Samuel Goldwyn Company, in 1979. The company reportedly “helped create a business model – low production costs, guerrilla marketing – that allowed art-house movies to grow into a powerful cultural and economic force,” according to the New York Times.
Thomas E. Rothman, chairman of TriStar, reportedly worked at the Samuel Goldwyn Company before moving on to found Fox Searchlight, according to US Weekly. While talking with the New York Times, Rothman had the following to say about Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
“Most people don’t quite realize what an independent film pioneer he was. Sam was the inspiration for Fox Searchlight.”
Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was known for his involvement in a variety of movies, including Mystic Pizza (1988), The Preacher’s Wife (1996), Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World(2003), and his most recent work, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013).
Besides his professional life, Goldwyn Jr. also had an extensive family life. He was previously married to Jennifer Howard and Peggy Elliott. He had four children with Howard and another two children with Elliott. He married for a third time, according to Us Weekly, this time to Patricia Strawn.
Goldwyn Jr. is survived by Strawn, and his six children: Tony, John, Francis, Peter, Catherine, and Elizabeth, and 10 grandchildren.
Fans have taken to Twitter to share their condolences, just check out some of the Twitter messages below.
Saddened by passing of my friend #SamuelGoldwyn He turned my indie film #WhattheBleepDoWeKnow into a phenomenon RIP pic.twitter.com/XcFUgWkVVY
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) January 10, 2015
“@usweekly: Famed producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. (#Scandal star Tony Goldwyn’s father) has died at 88: http://t.co/5DQXVSYKm9” RIP #Bravo
— TerézaEliasz-Solomon (@HeiressMommy) January 10, 2015
A member of Hollywood royalty has died, Samuel Goldwyn Jr. His specialty was producing independent films and… http://t.co/1ZUmuQjU1q
— Jack Hoffman (@Jack_Hoffman) January 10, 2015
RIP Samuel Goldwyn Jr., last surviving son of Hollywood’s founding fathers and a very notable industry figure in his own right.
— Lou Lumenick (@LouLumenick) January 10, 2015
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[Image via FOX411 Twitter Feed]
