According to Vanguard, Jon Landau, the acclaimed producer known for his work on "Titanic" and the "Avatar" series alongside director James Cameron, has died at the age of 63. Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman announced Landau’s death on Saturday, though no cause of death was disclosed.
Bergman praised Landau as a visionary whose extraordinary talent and passion brought unforgettable stories to life on the big screen. "His remarkable contributions to the film industry have left an indelible mark, and he will be profoundly missed. He was an iconic and successful producer, yet an even better person—a true force of nature who inspired all around him," Bergman said.
Landau began his career in the 1980s as a production manager and rose to prominence as a producer on James Cameron’s monumental film "Titanic." The film became the first movie to surpass $1 billion in global box office earnings and won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture. Accepting the award, Landau humorously noted, “I can’t act and I can’t compose and I can’t do visual effects. I guess that’s why I’m producing.”
His partnership with Cameron continued with the groundbreaking "Avatar," a sci-fi epic that broke box office records and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Landau played a crucial role in the development and defense of the ambitious "Avatar" sequels.
Jon Landau is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Julie, and their sons, Jamie and Jodie.