In Memoriam: Alan Ladd Jr.
Producer Alan Ladd Jr., who was behind Star Wars and Braveheart, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at his home. He was 84 years old.
“With the heaviest of hearts, we announce that on March 2, 2022, Alan Ladd, Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on films and filmmaking will live on in his absence,” his daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones wrote on Facebook.
Ladd was an influential producer with a sharp eye for projects with strong potential for success. Working with 20th Century Fox, MGM, and Ladd Co., he was behind several blockbuster movies. In the ‘70s when he was working with 20th Century Fox, Ladd greenlit Star Wars, which would become one of the most popular and profitable franchises in film history.
A resident of Hollywood from birth, Ladd was born on October 22, 1937, in Los Angeles to golden age actor Alan Ladd. Before joining the film industry, he served in the Air Force and worked in his stepfather’s real estate business. His Hollywood career started as an agent for such stars as Robert Redford and Judy Garland.
In ’73 he joined 20th Century Fox eventually becoming the studio’s president after successes like The Omen, Star Wars, and All That Jazz. He was responsible for starting the Alien franchise, and produced The Turning Point, Young Frankenstein, and Silver Streak.
Once he started Ladd Co., they produced Body Heat, launching the careers of Kathleen Turner and William Hurt, and then Night Shift with Ron Howard. He was also behind Chariots of Fire, Police Academy, Blade Runner, and The Right Stuff during this period.
Moving to work with MGM’s United Artists, he produced ‘80s hits like Moonstruck, A Fish Called Wanda, and Rain Man, and the early ‘90s classic Thelma and Louise.
Returning to being an indie producer, he was behind Braveheart, which earned him an Oscar in ’95 for Best Picture. His other ‘90s projects included The Brady Bunch Movie, The Phantom, and The Man in the Iron Mask.
Some of his last work included An Unfinished Life in 2005 and Gone, Baby Gone in 2007.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
In Memoriam: Alan Ladd Jr.
Producer Alan Ladd Jr., who was behind Star Wars and Braveheart, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at his home. He was 84 years old.
“With the heaviest of hearts, we announce that on March 2, 2022, Alan Ladd, Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on films and filmmaking will live on in his absence,” his daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones wrote on Facebook.
Ladd was an influential producer with a sharp eye for projects with strong potential for success. Working with 20th Century Fox, MGM, and Ladd Co., he was behind several blockbuster movies. In the ‘70s when he was working with 20th Century Fox, Ladd greenlit Star Wars, which would become one of the most popular and profitable franchises in film history.
A resident of Hollywood from birth, Ladd was born on October 22, 1937, in Los Angeles to golden age actor Alan Ladd. Before joining the film industry, he served in the Air Force and worked in his stepfather’s real estate business. His Hollywood career started as an agent for such stars as Robert Redford and Judy Garland.
In ’73 he joined 20th Century Fox eventually becoming the studio’s president after successes like The Omen, Star Wars, and All That Jazz. He was responsible for starting the Alien franchise, and produced The Turning Point, Young Frankenstein, and Silver Streak.
Once he started Ladd Co., they produced Body Heat, launching the careers of Kathleen Turner and William Hurt, and then Night Shift with Ron Howard. He was also behind Chariots of Fire, Police Academy, Blade Runner, and The Right Stuff during this period.
Moving to work with MGM’s United Artists, he produced ‘80s hits like Moonstruck, A Fish Called Wanda, and Rain Man, and the early ‘90s classic Thelma and Louise.
Returning to being an indie producer, he was behind Braveheart, which earned him an Oscar in ’95 for Best Picture. His other ‘90s projects included The Brady Bunch Movie, The Phantom, and The Man in the Iron Mask.
Some of his last work included An Unfinished Life in 2005 and Gone, Baby Gone in 2007.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
