'Hollywood movie exec Jason Constantine dead at 55 after heartbreaking health battle
Jason Constantine, the 55-year-old co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles after a long fight with the disease.
Constantine began his career at Lionsgate more than 25 years ago at the predecessor company Trimark Pictures where he was a director of acquisitions.
At Lionsgate, he was involved in several of the studio's major films, including ' John Wick,' and 'Saw,' which he pushed Lionsgate to acquire early on after watching a brief concept short.
The exec also worked closely on hit films including 'The Expendables,' 'I Can Only Imagine,' 'The Hitman's Bodyguard,' 'Kick Ass,' 'Rambo: Last Blood,' 'Angel Has Fallen,' and 'Plane.'
His work also included critically acclaimed films such as 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring,' 'Arbitrage,' 'Margin Call,' and 'Dear White People.'
Constantine helped bring horror favorites 'Cabin in the Woods' and 'Rejects' trilogy to audiences.
He was also associated with films including best picture Oscar winner 'Crash' in 2004, the drama 'Precious' in 2009 and 'Knives Out' in 2019.
In a tribute to their colleague, the entertainment company described Constantine as the embodiment of everything great about their studio and the wider film industry.
'With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry,' said Lionsgate in a statement.
'His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises.'
'His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring.
'We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family.'
Australian filmmaker James Wan paid tribute to the beloved movie producer.
The horror director, 48, who worked on most of the Saw movies with Constantine, posted several photos of the pair together as he shared his heartbreak.
'We lost a truly great friend and human being in Jason. I've known Jason since we first came out here to make Saw. That movie is what it is today because of him,' he wrote.
'He believed in the project so much, they brought it to Lionsgate and championed it before the movie was even shot.'
Wan went on to thank his late friend for helping him transform what began as a student film into a billion dollar franchise.
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