Renowned French filmmaker Jeannot Szwarc, known for helming vintage projects such as Jaws 2 and Somewhere in Time, has tragically passed away. The late director, who was born in 1939 in Paris, spent most of his formative years in Argentina. After completing his master’s degree in political science from Harvard University, Szwarc eventually transitioned into the entertainment industry. Here’s everything you need to know regarding Jeannot Szwarc’s recent death.
Jeannot Szwarc passes away at 85, claims report
Veteran actress Jane Seymour took to Facebook to share the news of Jeannot Szwarc’s death. He died of respiratory failure, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Seymour, who collaborated with Szwarc on 1980’s Somewhere in Time, paid tribute to the iconic filmmaker in her post, noting, “Today, we say goodbye to a true visionary. Jeannot Szwarc was not just a brilliant director but a kind and generous soul. He gifted us many timeless stories, including Somewhere in Time, a film that changed my life forever. May his memory be a blessing, and may his artistry live on in our hearts.”
Szwarc’s death seems to have left a lasting impact on a bunch of artists he worked with. Jaws and Jaws 2 star Jeffrey Kramer also honored the director upon his passing via Instagram, writing, “RIP my dear JEANNOT SZWARC. One of the finest most talented souls I was privileged to know!”
Apart from working on episodes of accredited shows such as The Rockford Files, Columbo, The New Perry Mason, and more, in the 1970s, Szwarc also influenced the pop-culture scene by taking on significant feature-length projects, including Extreme Close-Up, Supergirl (1984), and Bug. He also took over from Steven Spielberg to helm Jaws 2 in 1978. While the sequel failed to replicate its predecessor’s critical success, it managed to rake in around $190 million at the global box office, making Jaws 2 a hit.
Having directed several episodes of Smallville, Supernatural, and Grey’s Anatomy in his later years, Jeannot Szwarc passed away at the age of 85.
