Story perspectives

Producer Jeremy Thomas Dies at 77, Last Emperor Producer

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 6:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jeremy Thomas Dies

Producer Jeremy Thomas died peacefully at his Oxfordshire home on September 11, 2026, aged 77.
He produced The Last Emperor, which won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture.
He founded the Recorded Picture Company in the 1970s.
He later chaired the British Film Institute and received a BAFTA and CBE.
His recent projects include Takashi Miike’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo at TIFF and Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard.

Summary

Jeremy Thomas Mentors

He mentored early British directors, launching the careers of director Jonathan Glazer, director Stephen Frears, and director Ben Wheatley.
He battled cancer in his final years yet continued producing films until his death.
He married Claudia Frohlich (1977-1981) and later Vivien Coughman in 1982.
He is survived by wife Eski and children Jessica, agent Jack, and Joshua.
He hosted legendary Soho parties at his HanWay street office.

History

Historical Context

The British Board of Film Classification, created by the British film industry in 1912 after the public outcry over the film “From the Manger to the Cross,” introduced the first self-imposed censorship framework for UK cinema. The 1985 name change to stress classification signalled liberalisation that broadened opportunities for independent filmmakers, contributing to a stronger British presence at international festivals.

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Jeremy Thomas Dies

Producer Jeremy Thomas died peacefully at his Oxfordshire home on September 11, 2026, aged 77.
He produced The Last Emperor, which won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture.
He founded the Recorded Picture Company in the 1970s.
He later chaired the British Film Institute and received a BAFTA and CBE.
His recent projects include Takashi Miike’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo at TIFF and Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard.

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