Jeremy Thomas, a celebrated British film producer, passed away on Friday at his country home in Oxfordshire, surrounded by family. He was 77 years old.
Thomas began his career in film production during the early 1970s and became known for establishing creative partnerships with acclaimed directors including Nicolas Roeg, David Cronenberg, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Nagisa Oshima. His breakthrough came with The Last Emperor, directed by Bertolucci, which won nine Academy Awards including best picture. The film’s independent financing marked a significant achievement in his career. Beyond producing, Thomas held prominent positions within the British film industry, serving as chair of the British Film Institute and receiving a Bafta Award for outstanding British contribution to cinema.
Throughout his career, Thomas produced a diverse range of films spanning multiple decades and countries. Early notable works included Bad Timing, Eureka, and The Shout. He continued with prestige projects such as The Sheltering Sky, Little Buddha, and Naked Lunch. Thomas later produced more unconventional and controversial films, including Crash, Sexy Beast, Young Adam, and Tideland. His later filmography included Only Lovers Left Alive, High-Rise, and collaborations with Italian director Matteo Garrone on Tale of Tales and Dogman.
Collaborators and industry peers expressed profound admiration following his death. Directors and producers credited Thomas with his fearlessness in financing unconventional films and his unwavering support for filmmakers. Multiple industry figures emphasized his belief in cinema as an art form and his significant influence on world cinema across generations. Thomas also directed one film himself, All the Little Animals, released in 1999. His final production, Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, directed by Takashi Miike, is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto film festival.
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