Bingham Ray, a widely admired indie-film veteran and former studio head, has died after being hospitalized for a stroke he suffered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. He was 57.
According to a report by Variety, Ray had been attending the Arthouse Convergence symposium near Park City when he suffered the first stroke and was hospitalized in Park City. He suffered a second stroke and was transferred to Provo, where he died.
“It is with great sadness that the Sundance Institute acknowledges the passing of Bingham Ray, cherished independent film executive and most recently Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society,” the Sundance Institute said in a statement. “On behalf of the independent film community here in Park City for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and elsewhere, we offer our support and condolences to his family. Bingham’s many contributions to this community and business are indelible, and his legacy will not be soon forgotten.”
After co-founding October Films in the early 90s – and serving as production company’s co-president the until its sale to USA Networks in 1999 – Ray later went on serve as president of United Artists, where he shepherded such films as “Bowling for Columbine” and “Hotel Rwanda.”
In 2007, Bingham joined Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, where he developed marketing and distribution plans for films including “Death at a Funeral” and “Lars and the Real Girl.”
In recent years, Ray became a vocal proponent for pushing indie film into the digital age.
“We at the Film Society and the entire film community have lost far too early an energetic and visionary impact player who has helped shape the independent film industry for decades in so many important and valuable ways,” Pat McBaine, SFFS board president, said in a statement.
Bingham Ray is survived by his wife Nancy, and their three children: Nick, Annabel and Becca.
