Former president of Universal Pictures Ned Tanen has died. He was 77.
The Hollywood producer passed away on Monday from natural causes at his home in Santa Monica, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Tanen took the helm of two of Hollywood's biggest studios and presided over a string of huge box office hits.
In his time at Universal, from 1976 to 1982, Tanen oversaw two record box office years for the studio, with the release of Oscar winners On Golden Pond and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
He left Universal at the height of E.T.'s success, but quickly took on producing roles on a trio of Brat Pack films: The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and St. Elmo's Fire.
He took on the head role at Paramount in 1984 and continued his stellar box office record, with hits including Top Gun and Ghost being produced by the studio under his watch.
After leaving the studio, he finished his career with producing credits on Guarding Tess, Cops and Robbersons and Mary Reilly.
Tanen started his career as a talent agent and worked with entertainers such as Neil Diamond, Elton John, Bill Cosby and Olivia Newton-John.
He moved into movies, and was propelled up the ladder after spotting the potential of huge successes Jaws and Animal House.
He is survived by his partner, Donna Dubrow, two daughters and three grandchildren.
The Hollywood producer passed away on Monday from natural causes at his home in Santa Monica, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Tanen took the helm of two of Hollywood's biggest studios and presided over a string of huge box office hits.
In his time at Universal, from 1976 to 1982, Tanen oversaw two record box office years for the studio, with the release of Oscar winners On Golden Pond and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
He left Universal at the height of E.T.'s success, but quickly took on producing roles on a trio of Brat Pack films: The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and St. Elmo's Fire.
He took on the head role at Paramount in 1984 and continued his stellar box office record, with hits including Top Gun and Ghost being produced by the studio under his watch.
After leaving the studio, he finished his career with producing credits on Guarding Tess, Cops and Robbersons and Mary Reilly.
Tanen started his career as a talent agent and worked with entertainers such as Neil Diamond, Elton John, Bill Cosby and Olivia Newton-John.
He moved into movies, and was propelled up the ladder after spotting the potential of huge successes Jaws and Animal House.
He is survived by his partner, Donna Dubrow, two daughters and three grandchildren.
- 1/6/2009
- WENN
Ned Tanen, the former president of Universal Pictures who championed such groundbreaking filmmakers as George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis and John Hughes, died Monday of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica. He was 77.
The exec, who began his career as an agent with McA, first moved into the music business, founding Universal City Records, before joining Uni's motion picture arm. Between subsequent stints as a producer, he also served as president of Paramount's Theatrical Motion Picture Group.
Tanen was president of Universal from 1976-82. He presided over two record boxoffice years: 1980 and 1982, which included "On Golden Pond," "Coal Miner's Daughter," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial."
Born in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 1931, Tanen graduated from UCLA in 1951 in international relations. He landed a mailroom job at McA and in 1954 was promoted to agent. During the 1960s, Tanen supervised three of McA's record labels. He created Uni Records,...
The exec, who began his career as an agent with McA, first moved into the music business, founding Universal City Records, before joining Uni's motion picture arm. Between subsequent stints as a producer, he also served as president of Paramount's Theatrical Motion Picture Group.
Tanen was president of Universal from 1976-82. He presided over two record boxoffice years: 1980 and 1982, which included "On Golden Pond," "Coal Miner's Daughter," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial."
Born in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 1931, Tanen graduated from UCLA in 1951 in international relations. He landed a mailroom job at McA and in 1954 was promoted to agent. During the 1960s, Tanen supervised three of McA's record labels. He created Uni Records,...
- 1/5/2009
- by By Duane Byrge
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.