Steven Reuther
| Steven Reuther | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Steven Daniel Reuther 1951 Japan |
| Died |
June 5, 2010 (aged 58–59) Santa Monica, California |
| Occupation |
Producer Executive Producer |
| Years active | 1986–2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
Actress Helen Shaver (1979–82) Natalie Zimmerman 89–93 |
Steven Reuther (1951 – June 5, 2010) was an American (born Japanese) producer and executive producer.[1]
Life and career
Reuther came to Los Angeles, California in the late 1970s. He landed his first job in the mailroom at William Morris Agency, quickly becoming the first assistant to Stan Kamen. Leveraging his relationship with Kamen, he worked with such stars as Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight, Goldie Hawn and Sally Field.
He became an expert in film finance and structured numerous movies, pioneering the use of Canadian tax structures.
Reuther served as VP of Galactic Films, where he helped develop Adrian Lyne's 9½ Weeks. He then segued to Vestron Pictures in 1986, exec producing Patrick Swayze starrer Dirty Dancing and other pics. He then partnered with Arnon Milchan at New Regency developing such pics as Sidney Lumet's Family Business and the Kathleen Turner/Michael Douglas starrer War of the Roses. He went on to produce and exec produce more than 35 films in partnership with Milchan, including the 1990 smash Pretty Woman, which launched Julia Roberts. He partnered in a production company with Michael Douglas as Douglas/Reuther Productions.
In 1998, Reuther created Bel-Air Entertainment, and as its chairman and CEO, he was most proud of his movie Pay It Forward, whose title became part of the everyday culture. He also shepherded Proof of Life, Sweet November, Rock Star and Collateral Damage.
His feature film credits include Dirty Dancing (1987), Pretty Woman (1990), Sommersby (1993), The Client (1994), and Face/Off (1997), The Rainmaker (1997) and Sweet November (2001)
Reuther died after a battle with cancer. He left behind his daughter Danielle Reuther.
References
- ↑ Obituary Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2010; page AA6.