Legendary Hollywood executive and producer Meyer Gottlieb has passed away at 86. In additon to being the co-founder of Samuel Goldwyn Films, he’s known as the producer behind such films as “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and 2013’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” He will be missed.
His wife, Pattikay Gottlieb, told The Hollywood Reporter that the beloved producer passed away on December 29. Gottlieb was at their home in Los Angeles at the time.
He Leaves Behind an Impressive Career
GettyGottlieb got his start in Hollywood in 1978 when he teamed up with Samuel Goldwyn Jr. to relaunch The Samuel Goldwyn Company. He then became the company’s president and COO before leading Samuel Goldwyn Films.
He had a hand in such productions as “Mystic Pizza,” “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman,” “The Preacherâs Wife,” and “Super Size Me.”
Some of his other credits as a producer include the 1996 television series “Flipper.” It lasted for 22 episodes. From there, he became an associate producer on “Tortilla Soup” in 2001 and the co-producer of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” in 2003.
His most famous producer credit came in 2003 with the remake of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” Gottlieb, a Holocaust survivor, was born in Poland in 1939. He and his surviving family fled to the US in the early 1940s.
Tributes Are Pouring In for His Legacy
Gottlieb was a titan in the film and television industry. In many ways, he changed the landscape, and now both fans and his industry colleagues are paying tribute to his legacy.
Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tom Rothman said to Deadline, “Meyer was a gentleman of the old school. I was fortunate to work for him when he ran the Samuel Goldwyn Company, in the heyday of independent film. I learned an enormous amount from him â most importantly, that it is possible to make a life in Hollywood without sacrificing integrity and honesty, both of which he embodied entirely, along with smarts, wisdom, and kindness.”
A fan of his on X said, “Meyer Gottlieb’s legacy as the producer of ‘Master and Commander’ will inspire storytellers for generations to come.” Someone else wrote, “What an incredible life he led. From surviving such dark times to contributing so much to film. His legacy will definitely be remembered.”
Another person wrote, “Alongside Samuel Goldwyn Jr., he helped establish a powerhouse in independent film distribution and production, bringing numerous notable titles to the screen ð¬.”
Finally, a different X user said, “Wow, what a legacy he leaves behind. Master and Commander is such a classic. Thoughts with his family and everyone who loved his work.”
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