Hollywood producer Stephen Emery died unexpectedly after working out at a gym in Los Angeles; he was just 46.
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the news, noting the cause is still unknown.
Big Swell Entertainment CEO Andy Horwitz said in a statement:
“Everyone that had the pleasure to know Stephen Emery is heartbroken over the sudden loss of one of our own.”
He added:
“Stephen was much more than an invaluable producer, he was also an irreplaceable friend. His passion for film was outweighed only by his passion for life, and he lived every day like it was his last.
We will miss his adventurous spirit, his loyal friendship, and his genuine love for life. Rest in peace, brother.”
Yahoo reports:
Collaborators Tai Duncan and Dave Brown also shared a joint statement, noting, “Stephen was a gifted producer and a dear friend.
We worked together at every stage of our career and were inspired by his joyful approach to filmmaking and zest for life.”
Their message continued:
“Stephen’s passing comes with great shock, especially after he survived and thrived after a sudden heart attack while running a triathlon in 2018.
His loss will be felt deeply in the community, but his true friendship will be remembered and celebrated, always.”
Before joining Big Swell Entertainment, which launched in October 2022, Emery worked as the head of film & TV at The Solution Entertainment Group, where he started in 2016.
Among the titles he worked as executive producer on are the Netflix original film Wheelman, the movie Killerman starring Liam Hemsworth, 2019’s Line of Duty, and Liam Neeson-led film Honest Thief.
Variety reported:
A San Francisco Bay Area native, Emery was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers.
He was a dual citizen, holding both a U.S. and U.K. passport. Emery also loved the Grateful Dead and was an avid outdoorsman.
As a member of the NCAA division one varsity football team at the University of San Diego, he earned a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in film and television, as well as a business administration minor.
“Stephen grew up with a camcorder in his hand making movies in our backyard and he found his calling in Hollywood,” his brother Shawn Gillis said in a statement.
“Stephen was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend who connected us all and inspired all to chase their dreams,” his brother Shawn Gillis said in a statement.
Emery is survived by his brothers Shawn and Paul Gillis, parents Jan and Tony Emery and his girlfriend Chloe Christian, as well as his nieces and nephews.
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