Jeremy Thomas, Producer of 'The Last Emperor' Dies at 77

LOS ANGELES — Jeremy Thomas, the British film producer known for 1987’s Oscar-winning film “The Last Emperor,” died Saturday. He was 77.

Thomas representative announced Saturday that he died peacefully Friday, Sept. 11, at his country home in Oxfordshire, England, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Born in London on July 26, 1949, Thomas came from a show business family with his father Ralph Thomas known for having directed more than 40 films, including “The 39 Steps” and the “Doctor” movie franchise, while his uncle Gerald Thomas is known for having directed the “Carry On” films.

Thomas founded the Recorded Picture Company and later co-founding HanWay Films. Over the course of his career, he produced more than 80 feature films, working with filmmakers including Bernardo Bertolucci, Jonathan Glazer, David Cronenberg, Christopher Hampton and Nagisa Oshima.

Thomas notably produced Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, which swept the 1987 Academy Awards, winning nine Oscars, including best picture. The film also won the BAFTA for best film. In 2006, Thomas received a European Film Award for outstanding European achievement in world cinema.