Hollywood producer Lynda Obst dies at 74 of Chronic Pulmonary Disease

Lynda Obst produced a number of movie classics, but she died, at age 74, in Los Angeles from COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Obst spent most of her life in Hollywood and was an important figure in the development of the film world as a female producer during a time when there were very few women working as producers.

Obst had seen to the release of some classic films: 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'Flashdance', and 'Adventures in Babysitting'. One of her last big-screen productions was working on Christopher Nolan's movie 'Interstellar' in 2014. Besides making films, Obst also produced a number of television series, among them being: 'The Hot Zone', 'Good Girls Revolt', 'Hot in Cleveland', and 'Helix'.

Obst was an Oscar-nominated, veteran Hollywood producer who broke all barriers during her career, determined to make a place for herself in a field dominated by males. Her brother Rick Rosen, partner at WME, was happy on seeing her success because Obst was the trailblazer in the female world of films. As reported in 'The Hollywood Reporter', earlier this year, Obst stated that she had COPD.

Obst began in the film business as an editor for 'The New York Times Magazine' before getting her start with a production company. She received her first production credit on the independently developed 'Flashdance', while working at Casablanca Records and Film Works. Encouraged by Dawn Steele at Paramount, Obst founded one of the first all-female production companies with Debra Hill and then went on to produce films like 'Adventures in Babysitting' and 'The Fisher King'.

She collaborated with celebrated writer-director Nora Ephron and worked with a number of distinguished filmmakers, making some memorable and memorable films besides 'This Is My Life' and then 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Obst stayed the course and was able to do great work in characterizing her own legacy in Hollywood.

Survived by son Oly Obst, brothers Rick and Michael Rosen, and two grandchildren.