Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas has died at the age of 77. The film producer, known for films including The Last Emperor and Sexy Beast, passed away days before the premiere of his latest movie.
His death was confirmed in a statement that said he had "passed away peacefully". It revealed he had died surrounded by his family and loved ones at his country home in Oxfordshire on Friday.
Career highlights
He had enjoyed a long career in the industry and worked with international directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg and Matteo Garrone. Other movies linked with Thomas include The Sheltering Sky starring John Malkovich and Debra Winger, and High-Rise, which was released in 2015.
He also worked on Nagisa Oshima's 1983 war film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, which starred David Bowie as a British soldier called Major Jack "Strafer" Celliers.
One of his most recent projects saw Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough play a married couple who abduct a misbehaving teenager portrayed by Anson Boon. The 2025 production of The Good Boy saw Thomas listed as producer.
Oscar win and accolades
It was his role on The Last Emperor in 1987 that landed him his fame in the UK. The biographical drama film charted the life of Puyi, who was the final monarch of China's Qing dynasty. It won an Oscar in 1988.
Throughout his career, he earned a number of accolades. In 2006, he received an outstanding European achievement in world cinema award from the European Film Academy.
Latest project and tributes
His death comes days before the release of his latest production. His latest collaboration with Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, which is titled Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, premieres on Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Following his death, fans from across the globe paid tribute to him and his work. On X, formerly known as Twitter, one user wrote: "Very sad to read this."
"For producers, Jeremy has been an inspiration for decades. His impact truly spanned eras in this business, and what a filmography!"
Another added: "Sad news. I was honoured to share stages with Jeremy T at the Viennale in 2021 when the festival showed Mark Cousins' road-movie doco THE STORMS OF JEREMY THOMAS."
"He drove his (very nice) car from London to Vienna, and afterwards he drove back. RIP to the producer of THE SHOUT!"
And a third said: "The loss of Jeremy Thomas is enormous, to film culture and to the world. Such a beautiful man and a extraordinarily generous supporter of @edfilmfest . What a legacy. I feel honoured to have known him and to have spent time with him. Condolences to all who knew him and loved him."
