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Meyer Gottlieb, Holocaust Survivor & Samuel Goldwyn Films Chief, Dies at 86

Meyer Gottlieb, a Holocaust survivor who became the longtime president of Samuel Goldwyn Films, has died at age 86. He played a key role in reviving the Samuel Goldwyn Co. in the late 1980s after assisting Samuel Goldwyn Jr. a decade earlier. Gottlieb co-produced the acclaimed epic "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" and oversaw a diverse slate of films including "Mystic Pizza," "The Squid and the Whale," and the documentary "Super Size Me." Born in Poland in 1939, he survived the war by fleeing with his family, eventually spending four years in Ukrainian labor camps before building a legendary career in Hollywood.

Key Points: Meyer Gottlieb, Samuel Goldwyn Films Producer, Dies at 86

  • Holocaust survivor turned film executive
  • Revived Samuel Goldwyn Co.
  • Produced 'Master and Commander'
  • Oversaw films like 'Mystic Pizza' and 'Super Size Me'
2 min read

Film producer Meyer Gottlieb no more

Holocaust survivor Meyer Gottlieb, longtime head of Samuel Goldwyn Films and producer of 'Master and Commander,' passes away at 86 in Los Angeles.

"He assisted Samuel Goldwyn Jr. in reviving the label a decade earlier. – The Hollywood Reporter"

Los Angeles, December 31

Meyer Gottlieb, a Holocaust survivor who was the longtime chief of Samuel Goldwyn Films and produced such movies as Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and 2013's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, has passed away. He was 86.

The news of his demise was shared by Meyer's wife Pattikay Gottlieb, as per The Hollywood Reporter. He breathed his last on Monday at his home in Los Angeles.

Meyer was named president and COO of Samuel Goldwyn Co in 1988, having assisted Samuel Goldwyn Jr., son of the Oscar winner and legendary Hollywood mogul, in reviving the label a decade earlier.

He served as a co-producer on Master and Commander (2003), a co-production with 20th Century Fox, Miramax and Universal that was directed by Peter Weir and starred Russell Crowe as a brash Royal Navy captain doing battle during the Napoleonic Wars.

As an executive, Gottlieb also had a hand in such other films as Mystic Pizza (1988); Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (1994); The Preacher's Wife (1996), Lolita (1997), Tortilla Soup (2001), Super Size Me (2004), The Squid and the Whale (2005) and Amazing Grace (2006).

Gottlieb was born in Poland in September 1939, shortly before Germany invaded his country; he and his family went on the run for months, retreating with the Russians before winding up in Ukrainian labour camps for four years.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Master and Commander is one of my all-time favourite films. The production quality was outstanding. Sad to hear about the producer behind it. He had a great eye for stories.
P
Priya S
His filmography is so diverse! From 'Eat, Drink, Man, Woman' to 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'. It's rare to see executives back such a wide range of projects. A true patron of cinema.
R
Rohit P
While his professional achievements are remarkable, the article feels like it's just listing films. I wish it delved a bit deeper into his personal philosophy or how his early life shaped his career choices. Still, a giant has left us.
V
Vikram M
Surviving labour camps in Ukraine as a child... that puts everything into perspective. His life was a movie in itself. Om Shanti. May his soul find peace.
K
Karthik V
He produced 'Super Size Me'! That documentary had a big impact on how we think about fast food. It's interesting to see the mix of big commercial films and impactful indie projects in his portfolio. A balanced filmography.

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