Andrew Gunn, producer of Disney’s ‘Freaky Friday’ and ‘Cruella,’ dies at 56

by

I was really saddened to hear about the passing of Andrew Gunn. He was a producer behind some fun Disney live-action films I grew up with, like “Freaky Friday” and “Sky High.” He was only 56, which is just way too young. It’s a loss for anyone who enjoyed those movies.

According to his obituary, James Gunn passed away at his home in Toronto on Monday after a struggle with ALS.

Andrew Gunn was remembered by his wife, Jane Bellamy Gunn, as a selfless and humble man who always put others first. She shared with USA Today that he loved his family, friends, motorcycles, and tattoos, and those who knew him will cherish those memories. Andrew received a diagnosis of Bulbar-onset ALS, a disease affecting the neck and face, in September 2025, after living with symptoms for over two years.

Entertainment & Arts

Eric Dane, the actor famous for playing Dr. Mark Sloan—affectionately known as ‘McSteamy’—on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ has passed away at the age of 53 after a fight with ALS.

This Canadian film producer became famous for creating lighthearted Disney comedies beginning in the early 2000s. He founded Gunn Films in 2001 and partnered with Walt Disney Pictures, giving them the first opportunity to review and potentially produce his films.

One of James Gunn’s early successes was the 2003 film “Freaky Friday,” a comedy starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. The movie tells the story of a mother and daughter who magically switch bodies overnight. Gunn originally proposed the remake to Nina Jacobson, who was the studio president at the time.

Jamie Lee Curtis shared a heartfelt tribute to Andrew Gunn, describing him as a passionate and emotional producer whose work greatly contributed to the quality of his films. She noted his lasting impact and expressed how much he will be missed.

Beyond his directing work, Gunn also produced the superhero comedy “Sky High” (2005) and movies inspired by classic Disney theme park rides, like “The Country Bears” (2002) and “The Haunted Mansion” (2003). More recently, he produced “Cruella” (2021), which tells the story of the villain from “101 Dalmatians,” and is currently working on the sequel “Freakier Friday” (scheduled for 2025).

Review

‘Freakier Friday’ has magical chemistry but it won’t swap places with the beloved original

Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are teaming up again in a new movie that continues the story of their 2003 hit, “Freaky Friday.” This time, they’re joined by Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons.

Born on July 15, 1969, in Toronto, Gunn came to Los Angeles to get his master’s degree from the Annenberg School at USC, as reported by Deadline. He started working in Hollywood in the late 1990s at John Hughes’ Great Oaks Entertainment, where he helped develop movies like “101 Dalmatians” (1996), “102 Dalmatians” (2000), and “Flubber” (1997).

Gunn also played a key role in starting the Disney Writers Program in 2001, and he was known for supporting and guiding new writers.

In an Instagram post, writer Blaise Hemingway—known for his work on “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and as a Disney Writers Program graduate—shared how Andrew Gunn took a risk on him when he was a newcomer to the industry at age 29, launching his screenwriting career and providing him with a sense of family in the city he now calls home.

As a total cinema nut, I always loved how Andrew built this incredible community of writers. We did everything together – long lunches, weekly movie nights, happy hour at Mo’s, even each other’s kids’ birthday parties! We’d constantly rewrite scripts together, have these intense brainstorming sessions, and jump in to fix projects that were falling apart. It was chaotic, wild, and honestly, so much fun. And despite his tough exterior – the leather jacket, the tattoos – Andrew was a real softie who secretly loved our silly, sometimes reckless behavior. He was just a fantastic mentor, always looking out for us.

Gunn is remembered by his wife, Jane, and his children, Isabelle and Connor. He also leaves behind his mother, Anne Gunn, and his siblings, Hilary Knight, Graeme Gunn, and Cameron Gunn.

Read More

2026-03-05 01:31