Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on Titanic and the Avatar series, has died aged 63.
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Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman, announced Landau's death in a statement. No cause of death was given.
"Jon was a visionary whose extraordinary talent and passion brought some of the most 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 and a true force of nature who inspired all around him," Bergman said.
Landau's partnership with Cameron led to three Oscar nominations and a best picture win for 1997's Titanic.
Together the pair account for some of the biggest blockbusters in movie history, including Avatar and its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water.
Landau's career began in the 1980s as a production manager, and he gradually rose through the ranks until taking on a producer role on Titanic, Cameron's expensive epic about the infamous disaster.
The bet paid off: Titanic became the first movie to cross $US1 billion in global box-office earnings and went on to win 11 Oscars, including best picture.
"I can't act and I can't compose and I can't do visual effects. I guess that's why I'm producing." Landau said while accepting the award with Cameron.
Their partnership continued, with Landau becoming a top executive at Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment. In 2009 the pair watched as Avatar, a sci-fi epic filmed and shown in cinemas with groundbreaking 3D technology, surpassed the box-office success of Titanic. It remains the top-grossing film of all time.
Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, is third on the list.
Landau was named an executive vice president of feature movies at 20th Century Fox when he was 29, which led him to oversee major hits including Home Alone and its sequel, as well as Mrs Doubtfire and True Lies, where he first started working closely with Cameron.
Landau is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Julie, and their sons, Jamie and Jodie.
Australian Associated Press
