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Lynda Obst, veteran producer of ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ ‘Flashdance,’ dies at 74

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Lynda Obst, veteran producer of 'Sleepless in Seattle,' 'Flashdance,' dies at 74

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a knack for appreciating the journeys of film industry legends, I find myself deeply saddened by the news of Lynda Obst’s passing. Her contributions to Hollywood, spanning genres from rom-coms to sci-fi epics, have left an indelible mark on the silver screen.

Veteran movie producer Lynda Obst, whose filmography spanned from Academy Award winners like “Flashdance” and “Interstellar” to beloved romantic comedies such as “Sleepless in Seattle” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” has passed away at the age of 74.

On Tuesday morning, Obst passed away in Los Angeles. Her son and producer-manager, Oliver Obst, verified this news with The Times, though the cause of her death remains undisclosed. “She was truly unique,” stated Oliver Obst.

He stated to The Times, “My mom was a pioneer and a relentless champion for women. She was not only an outstanding mother, sister, and friend, but also the best one could ask for. Julie and I are profoundly thankful that she was my mother and that our daughters had her as their grandmother. We will mourn her deeply.

On Tuesday, Rick Rosen, Lynda Obst’s brother and a prominent television agent at William Morris Endeavor, informed The Times that his sister was an unstoppable power in the natural sense.

I’m incredibly admiring of her, given how challenging it was for women in the movie business back then, and yet, she managed to shine. She not only paved the way but also bravely battled her path forward within the industry.

He added: “She was so passionate about her work and her art. But more than anything, family was most important. She was so proud of her son, Oly, and her granddaughters. Family was everything to her.”

Months after disclosing to The Hollywood Reporter in February that she had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for years, Lynda Obst passed away. In a humorous moment with the magazine, she quipped about damaging her lungs, saying “Spanish for ‘I messed up my lungs.'” This remark came as she reminisced about her successful career and shared details of her treatments.

She mentioned to THR that since there’s no further official treatment available for her, she spends her time exploring the peripheries and delving into everything. She admittedly has a strong passion for science, and this presents an ideal opportunity for her to satisfy that curiosity. She also shared that she would undergo two more treatments in hope of seeing some improvement, expressing her belief in the importance of perseverance.

Obst’s career as a producer started in the early ’80s, with her first associate producer credit on Adrian Lyne’s “Flashdance.” This film received numerous Academy Award nominations and won the award for Best Original Song in 1984, which was sung by Irene Cara titled “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” This song became very popular.

Over the subsequent years, more Oscar-winning and nominated projects were lined up for Obst. He subsequently produced films like “The Fisher King” starring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, and later facilitated the adaptation of his friend Nora Ephron’s works, “This Is My Life” and “Sleepless in Seattle,” to the silver screen.

In 1993, the romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle” was launched, featuring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as a pair of long-distance lovers. This movie garnered two Oscar nominations for its original screenplay and original song. Notably, romantic comedies were not the only genre that Susan Obst worked on; she also contributed to thrillers and sci-fi films such as “Contact,” “The Siege,” and most memorably, Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning “Interstellar” (2014).

In a 2022 interview during the Golden Globe awards, renowned Hollywood producer Obst shared her perspective on why women excel as producers.

She pointed out that women often exhibit exceptional nurturing qualities due to their role as caregivers, emphasizing their independence, ability to juggle multiple tasks, and deep compassion.

Lynda Rosen Obst hails from Harrison, New York, born on the 14th of April, 1950. She was nurtured in this town and later graduated from Pomona College, Claremont, with a focus on philosophy. Additionally, she attended Columbia University for further studies.

Prior to venturing into production, Obst was a journalist who held the position of an editor at the New York Times Magazine.

Following her relocation to Los Angeles alongside her spouse, Obst kick-started her showbiz journey at Casablanca Records and FilmWorks, as reported by THR. There, she leveraged her editorial expertise to boost the work of writers such as Tom Hedley, who co-wrote “Flashdance.” Additionally, she honed her skills under the tutelage of David Geffen at the Geffen Co. before embarking on a solo producing career in the late ‘80s, according to her website.

As a cinephile looking back at my career, I’ve had the pleasure of being associated with some truly memorable productions. From the heartwarming “Adventures in Babysitting” to the poignant “Heartbreak Hotel,” the uplifting “Hope Floats,” and the relatable “Someone Like You,” each film left an indelible mark on audiences.

Not only is she a nominee for an Emmy award, but she draws on her time in the film industry to write the novels “Hello, He Deceived” and “Restless Nights in Tinseltown.

Months before her death amid her COPD battle, Obst said “being creative gives me energy.”

She told THR: “I would be bored out of my wits if I didn’t work, and I’m still doing good work.”

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2024-10-23 03:31

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