Movies

Robert Laemmle, longtime head of local art-house chain Laemmle Theatres, dies at 89

BBG News

89-year-old Robert Laemmle, who assumed control of the Laemmle Theatres chain from his father, passed away last Thursday.

It’s been confirmed that Robert Laemmle, also known as Bob, passed away at the Berkley East Healthcare Center in Santa Monica. This followed a fall he had at his Santa Monica residence on December 23rd. The specific reason for his death is currently undisclosed. Greg Laemmle, who is part of the third generation of Laemmles managing local movie theaters, confirmed this news.

Laemmle was born on September 5, 1935, in Paris. Shortly after, he and his family moved to America. Prior to their relocation, Laemmle’s father, Max, had been employed with his cousin Carl Laemmle, one of the founders of Universal Pictures, in Paris. By 1938, they had both made their way to Los Angeles.

Max and his sibling, Kurt, started with two cinemas in Highland Park and swiftly broadened their aspirations for movie exhibitions. Robert, who had previously worked as a banker, was lured into the family enterprise in 1961. He formally retired in 2004, but continued to visit the office regularly until the onset of the global pandemic in 2020.

In an interview on Thursday, Greg Laemmle expressed his affection for films by saying, “He truly enjoyed watching movies. He took pride in the film industry. He cherished being known as Mr. Laemmle. To him, there’s nothing more rewarding than standing in the lobby and hearing a patron express gratitude for Laemmle Theatres and its movie selection.

Through the years, the Laemmle chain has become a refuge for art-house films, showcasing movies from visionary directors like Ingmar Bergman, Francois Truffaut, Pedro Almodóvar, and others who may not have found screenings in Los Angeles otherwise. This tradition of nurturing unconventional cinema persists to this day.

Greg Laemmle pointed out that it’s likely numerous filmmakers have gained from the assistance their theaters have provided to the global and independent film industry throughout the years.

Greg Laemmle explained, ‘We took something that my grandfather began and continued to develop it ourselves. We recognized that while it was both a business and a family endeavor, its primary purpose was to serve the community.’

Robert Laemmle is mourned by his current spouse, Michelle Laemmle, as well as his first wife, Raquel Shantal. Regrettably, Sunny, his second wife, passed away before him in 1991. He leaves behind a family that includes children Greg Laemmle, Jessica Laemmle, Yvonne Ascher, Michelle Ascher, David Ascher, Carri Bisbee, Mitchell Needelman, Maitland Finley, and Robert Finley, as well as 13 grandchildren.

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2025-01-10 04:01

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