Jon Landau, a legendary film producer and longtime collaborator of James Cameron, has passed away at the age of 63. The cause of death was not disclosed. Landau’s family announced his death on Saturday, with Cameron issuing a statement praising his friend and partner of 31 years as “a dear friend, and my closest collaborator.”
Landau’s partnership with Cameron resulted in three Oscar nominations and a best picture win for 1997’s “Titanic.”
Together, they also produced the “Avatar” franchise, including the top-grossing film of all time, “Avatar,” and its sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Cameron credited Landau’s humor, generosity, and determination as instrumental in the success of their films.
Born in New York in 1960, Landau began his career in the 1980s as a production manager and worked his way up to become a co-producer on films like “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” and “Dick Tracy.” He took on the producer role for “Titanic,” which became the first film to cross $1 billion in global box-office earnings and won 11 Oscars, including best picture.
Landau’s career also included working as a top executive at Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and overseeing films like “Home Alone” and its sequel, as well as “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “True Lies.” He was also instrumental in bringing the manga adaptation “Alita: Battle Angel” to the big screen in 2019, working with director Robert Rodriguez to complete the film.
Landau is survived by his wife, Julie, and their two sons, Jamie and Jodie, as well as his sisters and brother. He will be remembered for his contributions to the film industry, which included shaping the “Avatar” franchise and bringing unforgettable stories to life on the big screen.
