Jeremy Thomas, a film producer who gained prominence for championing unconventional and controversial projects, passed away at age 77. Throughout his career spanning several decades, he became known for his willingness to invest in ambitious material that pushed creative boundaries, often generating public debate about artistic expression and taste.
Thomas came from a family with deep roots in British cinema. His father Ralph Thomas directed the Doctor comedies beginning in 1954, while his uncle Gerald Thomas helmed all 31 Carry On films. Jeremy initially worked in technical roles, including assistant editing on films such as Folk-horror drama Tam Lin and Ken Loach’s Family Life before transitioning to producing.
Among his most celebrated achievements was The Last Emperor, a 1987 epic based on the autobiography of China’s final emperor Puyi. The film required four years of production and a $25 million budget, with Thomas securing unprecedented access to shoot within the Forbidden City—a first for a Western production. The picture earned all nine of its Academy Award nominations, establishing Thomas’s ability to deliver both artistically significant and commercially viable work. He collaborated extensively with director Bernardo Bertolucci on multiple projects, including The Sheltering Sky.
Thomas gained notoriety for producing David Cronenberg adaptations including Naked Lunch and Crash, the latter based on J.G. Ballard’s novel about car accident fetishism. Crash premiered at Cannes, where it won recognition despite objections from the festival’s jury president, and subsequently sparked heated debate in British media. Beyond these high-profile controversies, Thomas maintained a diverse slate featuring directors including Nagisa Oshima, Jonathan Glazer, Jim Jarmusch, and Takashi Miike. His philosophy emphasized seeking original work by moving away from mainstream conventions, a principle he applied consistently across his production decisions.
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