Oscar-Winning Producer Behind ‘The Last Emperor’ and ‘Crash’ Dies at 77

Jeremy Thomas Dies at 77: Oscar-Winning Producer Behind ‘The Last Emperor’ and ‘Crash’

Jeremy Thomas, the legendary British film producer whose fearless approach to filmmaking brought acclaimed movies including The Last Emperor, Crash and Sexy Beast to the screen, has died. He was 77.

Thomas died peacefully on September 11 at his country home in Oxfordshire, England, surrounded by his family and loved ones, according to a statement from his representatives. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. (deadline.com)

A Giant of Independent Cinema

Widely regarded as one of the most influential independent producers of his generation, Thomas spent more than five decades supporting ambitious, unconventional and sometimes controversial films.

Rather than following commercial trends, he became known for trusting filmmakers with distinctive creative visions. His career included collaborations with internationally celebrated directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg, Nicolas Roeg, Nagisa Oshima, Jonathan Glazer, Jim Jarmusch, Terry Gilliam and Matteo Garrone.

Thomas produced more than 80 films during his remarkable career, leaving an enduring mark on British and international cinema.

Oscar Glory With ‘The Last Emperor’

Thomas achieved his greatest mainstream success with Bernardo Bertolucci’s historical epic The Last Emperor.

The 1987 film told the story of Puyi, the final emperor of China, and became the first Western production granted extensive permission to film inside Beijing’s Forbidden City.

Financed independently and developed over several years, the movie became a major critical and commercial triumph. It won all nine Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Thomas personally received the Oscar as the film’s producer.

He later reunited with Bertolucci on several other projects, including The Sheltering Sky, Little Buddha, Stealing Beauty and The Dreamers. (theguardian.com)

Championing Bold and Controversial Films

Thomas was equally admired for backing movies other producers might have considered too challenging or risky.

His collaboration with David Cronenberg produced films such as Naked Lunch, Crash and A Dangerous Method. Released in 1996, Crash attracted enormous controversy because of its provocative subject matter and was temporarily prohibited by some local authorities in the United Kingdom.

Thomas nevertheless defended the value of daring and uncompromising cinema. His credits also included Nicolas Roeg’s Bad Timing, Eureka and Insignificance, as well as Nagisa Oshima’s acclaimed wartime drama Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.

In 2000, he produced Jonathan Glazer’s feature-directing debut Sexy Beast, starring Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley. The crime drama became a modern British classic and earned Kingsley an Academy Award nomination.

From the Editing Room to International Success

Born in London on July 26, 1949, Thomas grew up in a prominent filmmaking family. His father, Ralph Thomas, directed the popular Doctor film series, while his uncle, Gerald Thomas, directed the long-running Carry On movies.

Thomas began his career working in film-editing rooms on productions including The Harder They Come and Ken Loach’s Family Life. He later moved into production, receiving one of his earliest producer credits for Mad Dog Morgan, the Australian historical drama starring Dennis Hopper.

He went on to establish the Recorded Picture Company, which became the creative base from which he developed and financed films with directors from around the world.

Later Films and Directorial Work

Thomas continued producing adventurous projects throughout his later career. His notable credits included Tideland, Only Lovers Left Alive, High-Rise, Tale of Tales, Dogman, Pinocchio and 13 Assassins.

He also stepped behind the camera to direct All the Little Animals, starring Christian Bale and John Hurt. The drama was presented at the Cannes Film Festival before receiving its theatrical release.

His life and career were explored in filmmaker Mark Cousins’ documentary The Storms of Jeremy Thomas, which followed the producer during a road trip from England to the Cannes Film Festival.

Among his final projects was Takashi Miike’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival shortly after Thomas’ death. (theguardian.com)

Tributes to a Fearless Producer

News of Thomas’ death prompted tributes from filmmakers and leading figures across the international film community.

He was remembered as a producer with extraordinary taste who believed cinema should be treated as an art form. Colleagues praised his willingness to support visionary directors, particularly when their ideas were considered too difficult or financially risky by others.

Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino described the body of work Thomas created during his career as unmatched, while producer Andrew Macdonald remembered him as a personal hero and a rebel with exceptional taste. (theguardian.com)

An Enduring Cinematic Legacy

Thomas received numerous honors during his lifetime, including a BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema and the European Film Academy’s award for Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema. He also served as chairman of the British Film Institute.

His legacy extends far beyond awards. Through his determination, creative courage and international outlook, Thomas helped bring some of the most distinctive films of the past half-century to audiences around the world.