Susan B. Landau
Born(1952-03-31)March 31, 1952
Brooklyn, New York
DiedMay 31, 2017(2017-05-31) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California
Occupation(s)Film producer, photographer

Susan B. Landau (March 31, 1952 – May 31, 2017) was an American film producer, television producer, talent manager, and photographer whose credits included Mr. Destiny in 1990, Cool Runnings in 1993, An Ideal Husband in 1999, and the 2000 television film, Mary and Rhoda.[1][2][3]

Biography

Landau and her twin brother, Paul, were born in Brooklyn, New York, to Sidney Landau, a studio executive at United Artists, and Bea Landau.[1][2] She attended Springfield Gardens High School in Queens, New York, and received a bachelor's degree political science from Brandeis University in 1974.[2]

She executive produced 1983's Tiger Town, the first television film produced by the Disney Channel, which won a 1984 CableACE Award for Best Dramatic Film, as well as the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: Young Harry Houdini in 1987, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Children's Program.[1][2][3]

Landau was best known for producing the 1993 comedic film, Cool Runnings, which was loosely based on the Jamaica national bobsleigh team's 1988 Winter Olympics debut. Her other film production credits included Mr. Destiny in 1990, the 1999 documentary Get Bruce, An Ideal Husband in 1999, and All Over the Guy in 2001.[1] She teamed with actress Mary Tyler Moore to co-executive produce the 2000 television film, Mary and Rhoda, based on the 1970s sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

In the 1992 California race for U.S. Senate, Landau fundraised on behalf of Senate candidate Barbara Boxer, a Democrat.[2] Boxer, who won the 1992 Senate election, credited Landau with boosting her campaign and her political career, telling an interviewer in 2017, "Susan Landau was a one-of-a-kind and I honestly believe that without her energetic support, I never would have been elected to the Senate in 1992."[2][3]

Additionally, Landau also worked as a talent manager representing others within the entertainment industry, including screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (writer of Slumdog Millionaire, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire); actor Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal); director Stephen Surjik (Wayne's World 2), whom she represented for 21 years; and producer Christopher Hollier (The Originals).[1][2][3] According to Beaufoy, he and Landau spoke almost daily for 25 years.[2] Hollier praised her abilities as a manager, "there's never been someone more talented at bringing talent out in others. Director, producer, writer – no one could have a better friend in this town."[2]

Landau transitioned to photography beginning in 2007.[2] Her subjects included the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, which had been co-founded by her friend, the late film producer Laura Ziskin. The two had been friends since their work on the set of the 1978 film, Eyes of Laura Mars and Landau later published "Laura Ziskin: Collective Memories & Photographs."[2] Her other subjects included the cast and crew of Showtime's Web Therapy, as well as the producers of five Academy Awards shows.[2] In 2017, Landau published another photo collection, "The Brown Bears of Alaska."[2]

Landau died following a brief illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 31, 2017, at the age of 65.[1][2] She was survived by her older brothers, Arthur and Avraham, her twin brother, Paul, and four nieces.[1][2]

Filmography

She was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Credit Notes
1983The American Snitch
1990Mr. DestinyCo-producer
1993Cool RunningsExecutive producer
1995AngusExecutive producer
1999An Ideal HusbandExecutive producer
2001All Over the GuyExecutive producer
2002Crazy Little Thing
2007MarigoldExecutive producer
2009Road, MovieFinal film as a producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role
1975The Happy HookerProduction assistant
Breakheart Pass
1976Burnt Offerings
1978Eyes of Laura MarsSpecial project assistant
1979Last EmbraceAssistant to producers
As an actress
Year Film Role
1977Andy Warhol's BadGirl in Theater
Thanks
Year Film Role
2008For a Moment, FreedomThanks

Television

Year Title Credit Notes
1983Tiger TownTelevision film
1985The Blue YonderTelevision film
1986The LeftoversExecutive producerTelevision film
1987Young Harry HoudiniExecutive producerTelevision film
198814 Going on 30Television film
1993SpiesExecutive producerTelevision film
2000Mary and RhodaExecutive producerTelevision film
2001Princess of ThievesExecutive producerTelevision film
2003Great PerformancesExecutive producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Title Role
2003Great PerformancesCreative consultant
Camera and electrical department
Year Title Role
2012The Unwritten RulesStill photographer

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Evans, Greg (June 7, 2017). "Susan B. Landau Dies: 'Cool Runnings' Producer Was 65". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Huff, Lauren (June 7, 2017). "Susan Landau, Producer and Manager, Dies at 65". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Saperstein, Pat (June 7, 2017). "Producer and Manager Susan Landau Dies at 65". Variety. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
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