Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning producer behind some of the world’s highest-grossing movies such as Titanic and Avatar, has passed away at the age of 63 after battling cancer for over a year.
Landau, who was known for his long-time collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron, was remembered by his sister Tina as “the best brother a girl could ever dream of.” She expressed her broken heart but also gratitude for his extraordinary life and the love he shared with those around him.
As the son of Hollywood producers Ely and Edie Landau, Jon Landau made a name for himself as an executive at 20th Century Fox, overseeing successful films like The Last Of The Mohicans and Die Hard 2. However, it was his partnership with James Cameron that led to the creation of box office hits like Titanic, the first film to surpass $1 billion in global earnings.
Landau’s success continued with the groundbreaking films Avatar and its sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, which broke records set by Titanic. He also co-produced popular movies like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Dick Tracy, while holding a management position at Cameron’s production company Lightstorm Entertainment.
Upon hearing the news of Landau’s passing, James Cameron described him as “a great producer and a great human being” who believed in the power of cinema and the importance of humanity in filmmaking. Director Sir Peter Jackson and his wife Fran Walsh, who worked with Landau on the Avatar films, expressed their devastation at his loss, highlighting his passion and influence in the industry.
Actress Zoe Saldaña, who starred in the Avatar films, paid tribute to Landau on social media, acknowledging his wisdom and support that shaped the lives of many in the film industry.
Jon Landau’s legacy as a visionary producer and generous spirit will continue to inspire filmmakers and moviegoers for years to come.
