Titanic and Avatar Producer Jon Landau Passes Away
Multi-awarded producer, Jon Landau, passes away at 63 after battling cancer for 16 months. He produced three of the most profitable movie blockbusters in history—Titanic, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
His son, Jamie Landau, reported his death on Friday, July 5. Tributes and messages of sympathy flooded the internet.
Landau’s sister, Tina Landau expressed her grief on X. “The best brother a girl could ever dream of—my brother Jon—has passed away. My heart is broken but also bursting with pride & gratitude for his most extraordinary life, and the love and gifts he gave me—and all who knew him or his films,” she wrote.
James Cameron, who was Landau’s co-producer in many of his prestigious films, also took to social media to mourn the loss of a close friend. “The Avatar family grieves the loss of our friend and leader, Jon Landau. His zany humor, personal magnetism, great generosity of spirit, and fierce will have held the center of our Avatar universe for almost two decades,” he began.
Cameron continued, “His legacy is not just the films he produced, but the personal example he set—indomitable, caring, inclusive, tireless, insightful and utterly unique. He produced great films, not by wielding power but by spreading warmth and the joy of making cinema. He inspired us all to be and to bring our best, every day.”
“I have lost a dear friend and my closest collaborator of 31 years. A part of myself has been torn away,” he penned as he ended his tribute.
A Brief History of Jon Landau
Landau’s parents, Ely and Edie Landau, were also producers. Aside from Avatar and Titanic, he was involved in the films Dick Tracy, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Last of the Mohicans, Mrs Doubtfire, Die Hard 2, and True Lies.
After producing the first two Avatar films, he was also working on its third release which was scheduled to come out in 2025.
Landau was born in New York City and later enrolled in the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. He became 20th Century Fox’s executive vide president of feature production and Lightstorm Entertainment’s chief operating officer.
He leaves behind his wife of nearly 40 years, Julie Landau with whom he shares two sons, Jamie Landau and Jodie Landau. He is also survived by sisters Kathy Landau and Tina Landau, including his brother Les Landau.
