David Matalon, a film executive and producer who co-founded TriStar Pictures and served as the CEO of Regency for several years, died on Tuesday. He was 82.
Matalon died at his home in Beverly Hills, Searchlight Pictures’ Nastasya Morauw confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. His cause of death wasn’t immediately available.
Born on July 5, 1943, he began his career in Hollywood at Columbia Pictures International, eventually being named executive vice president. He later departed the company to co-found and serve as president of TriStar Pictures in 1982, where he helped shape the studio’s early identity and strategic direction.
After, he went on to lead day-to-day operations at Regency from 1995 to 2008. Under his leadership, the independent film studio produced acclaimed titles such as L.A. Confidential, Heat, Fight Club, Unfaithful, Entrapment, and The Fountain. Other hit films produced by Regency also included Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Epic Movie.
During Matalon’s tenure, Regency also signed an exclusive 15-year distribution pact with 20th Century Fox, helping to solidify its place in the entertainment industry.
“I’m entering the third act of my life, and I want to spend the third act doing things I love — and I love film,” Matalon said in 2007 before leaving Regency. “When you run a company, you are far removed from the agony and the ecstasy of making films.”
Following his time at TriStar, Matalon also worked for some time as an independent producer. His credits included 1993’s What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio; 1994’s Color of Night, starring Bruce Willis and Jane March; 1993’s Hear No Evil, with Marlee Matlin; and 1997’s Breaking Up, starring Russell Crowe and Salma Hayek.
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, wrote in a tribute, “Anyone who had the privilege, as I did for many years, of working with David in the trenches of the film business knew they could always count on his strength, wisdom, integrity, and guts. He was a rare breed of the old school and will be greatly missed. I extend my deepest condolences to his family in this hard time.”
Matalon is survived by his daughters, Michelle and Shirlee; his brothers, Roy and Amnon; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
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