Jon Landau, Oscar-Winning Producer of ‘Titanic,’ Dead at 63

Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning producer known for his work on "Titanic" and "Avatar," passed away at the age of 63 on Friday.

Born on July 30, 1960, in New York City to film producers Ely and Edie Landau, Jon Landau's path to Hollywood greatness was perhaps destined from the start. He honed his craft at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, setting the stage for a career that would leave an indelible impact on the film industry.

Mr. Landau's rise in Hollywood began at the age of 29 when he became the executive vice president of feature film production at 20th Century Fox, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the creation of blockbuster hits including "Die Hard 2," "Power Rangers," "The Last of the Mohicans," and "True Lies." It was on the set of "True Lies" that Mr. Landau first connected with director James Cameron, marking the beginning of a lifelong professional partnership.

Mr. Landau was a key figure in bringing Mr. Cameron's ambitious blockbusters to the big screen, overcoming logistical challenges and budget constraints. His involvement in the production of "Titanic" included supervising the construction of Fox Baja Studios in Mexico, where the film was shot. "Titanic" went on to become a massive success, grossing over $2.3 billion worldwide.

Mr. Landau's collaboration with Mr. Cameron did not end with "Titanic." He ascended to the role of chief operating officer at Mr. Cameron's production company, Lightstorm Entertainment. There, he was instrumental in developing a variety of ancillary projects that expanded the "Avatar" universe, including partnerships with Dark Horse Comics and Penguin Random House.