Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas, whose films included The Last Emperor and Sexy Beast, has died aged 77. The British filmmaker “passed away peacefully” surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Oxfordshire on Friday, his publicist confirmed in a statement.
A Decorated Career in Cinema
Thomas built an international reputation over a career spanning five decades, working with directors such as David Cronenberg, Nagisa Oshima, Julien Temple, and Nicolas Roeg while balancing independent films with mainstream hits. His best-known project, Bernardo Bertolucci’sThe Last Emperorwon nine Academy Awards—including Best Picture—and earned Thomas an Oscar as a producer in 1988. This critically acclaimed biographical drama about the final monarch of China’s Qing dynasty starred Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole, and Vivian Wu.
Production Legacy and Collaborations
Thomas collaborated repeatedly with Bertolucci, producing titles includingThe Sheltering SkyLittle BuddhaStealing BeautyandThe Dreamers. Beyond these, his extensive credits include
- Oshima’sMerry Christmas, Mr Lawrencestarring David Bowie.
- Cronenberg’sA Dangerous Method.
- Roeg’sBad TimingandEureka.
- Fast Food NationThe Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindleand adaptations of JG Ballard’sCrashandHigh-Rise.
After beginning his journey as a film editor, London-based Thomas landed his first production role on the 1976 Australian filmMad Dog Morgan. Throughout his career, he also mentored several British directors early in their paths, including Ben Wheatley, Jonathan Glazer, Stephen Frears, and David Mackenzie. In 2006, he was honored with the European Film Academy’s award for Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema, and in 2009, he was appointed a CBE in the New Year Honours. His latest collaboration with director Takashi MiikeBad Lieutenant: Tokyois scheduled to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival this coming Monday.
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