Famous Hollywood producer passes away

Jon Landau, producer on well-known movies such as Titanic and Avatar, has passed away at the age of 63 in Los Angeles. The famous Hollywood producer was a frequent collaborator with James Cameron. His son, Jamie Landau, confirmed the news.

Jon Landau’s career highlights

Jon Landau, an Academy Award-winning producer, was born in New York. His passion for filmmaking goes back to his parents, who were influential figures in the industry. Landau attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

During the 1990s, he notably worked as the executive Vice President of Feature Film Production at Twentieth Century Fox, as reported by Daily Mail. 

In 1998, Landau was the recipient of his first Academy Award when Titanic won the Best Picture Award. The famous Hollywood producer co-produced Titanic with James Cameron. They also collaborated on the Avatar movies. Last year Landau and Cameron attended their handprints and footprints ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to honour Avatar: The Way of Water.

Cameron paid tribute to his long-time producing partner and said that he has lost a dear friend. He added that ‘a part of myself has been torn away’. The two were close-knit producing partners for more than 30 years.

During his early career days, he co-produced famous Disney movies such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Dick Tracy.

Landau was actively engaged in the production of the Avatar sequels until his passing. On Landau’s official IMDB page, he had seven upcoming projects in the works at the time of his passing, including being a producer on both Avatar 3 and Avatar 4.

Tributes for Landau

Sir Peter Jackson, director, writer and producer of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, stated that Landau was ‘a monumental figure in the film industry’.

“Jon was a visionary whose extraordinary talent and passion brought some of the most unforgettable stories to life on the big screen.”

Alan Bergman, co-chairman for Disney Entertainment

“The Avatar family grieves the loss of our friend and leader, Jon Landau. His zany humour, personal magnetism, great generosity of spirit and fierce will have held the centre of our Avatar universe for almost two decades.” 

James Cameron

Charitable work

He lived with his wife, Julie, in Islamorada for a number of years until 2022. During their time in the Keys, the Landaus contributed to the community in many ways.

Following Hurricane Irma, the Landaus assisted the island chain with the Landau Family Hurricane Relief Fund in the Upper Keys. With help from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK), they gave grants to businesses and residents in need to rebuild and recover, as reported by Keys Weekly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Landaus created a food fund to assist residents in need.

The Landaus also made contributions to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada. Jon designed the centre’s educational theater.

“Jon was so generous with his time, talent and treasure. He was so humble and unpretentious. He personified the term ‘difference maker’.”

History & Discovery Center, Islamorada