'Titanic' and 'Avatar' producer Jon Landau passes away at 63 after a long battle with cancer

Jon Landau, the renowned producer and COO of James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment, passed away on July 5 in Los Angeles after a 16-month battle with cancer. He was 63.

Landau, whose illustrious career includes producing the Oscar-winning film 'Titanic' and the groundbreaking 'Avatar', joined Cameron in 1995. During their 27-year partnership, they produced three of the five highest-grossing films of all time: 'Avatar', 'Titanic', and 'Avatar: The Way of Water'.

Born in New York to producers Ely and Edie Landau, Jon Landau began his professional journey as a production manager on films such as 'Key Exchange' (1985), 'F/X' (1986), and 'Manhunter' (1986).

At the age of 29, Landau became Executive Vice President of Feature Productions at 20th Century Fox. There, he oversaw numerous films, including 'Home Alone' (1990), 'Home Alone 2" (1992), "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993), "Speed" (1994), and "Waiting to Exhale" (1995). It was at Fox that Landau began his professional relationship with James Cameron, starting with the 1994 action comedy "True Lies."

Reflecting on his early work with Cameron, Landau once recalled their initial collaboration on "True Lies" when he was at Fox. Despite some initial skepticism from Cameron, their professional relationship blossomed. After leaving Fox, Landau fell in love with the script for "Titanic," which Cameron had offered him, marking the start of their successful partnership at Lightstorm Entertainment.

As the head of Lightstorm, Landau was instrumental in expanding the company's brand and reach. He played a significant role in developing new films like "Alita: Battle Angel" and expanding the "Avatar" franchise into video gaming, live experiences like Cirque du Soleil’s "Toruk," and Disney's popular attraction Pandora – The World of Avatar.

James Cameron remembered Landau as an indomitable, caring, and tireless producer who inspired everyone around him. Cameron described Landau’s legacy as extending beyond the films he produced to the personal example he set, emphasizing warmth and the joy of making cinema.

Landau is survived by his wife Julie, to whom he was married for nearly 40 years, and their sons Jamie and Jodie. He is also survived by his siblings: Star Trek director Les Landau, Broadway director Tina Landau, and Symphony Space executive director Kathy Landau.