Alan Ladd Jr. died on March 2, 2019, at 84. The producer oversaw production at Fox, Pathe Entertainment, and MGM, as well as his own company, The Ladd Co. Amanda Ladd-Jones, his daughter, verified the news on social media, writing:
“With heavy hearts, we report that Alan Ladd Jr. died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on March 2, 2022.” Words can’t explain how much he’ll be missed. In his departure, his influence on films and filmmaking will continue on.”
The cause of death
Despite his daughter’s confirmation of his death, Alan Ladd Jr.’s cause of death has yet to be disclosed. However, it is possible that he died due to age-related difficulties.
The career of Alan Ladd Jr.
He was the son of actor Alan Ladd and his first wife, Marjorie, and was born on October 22, 1937. In 1963, he made his cinematic debut as an agent. Ladd Jr. relocated to London to produce, and he went on to make nine films, including The Walking Stick, A Severed Head, Villain, The Nightcomers, and Zee and Co. In 1973, he returned to the United States to become the Head of Creative Affairs at 20th Century Fox.
In August 1976, Ladd Jr. was elevated to head of Fox’s film division. He asked Fox President Gordon Stulberg whether he could create George Lucas’ Star Wars. Despite Stulberg’s approval, the production encountered several hurdles, including site concerns and plot issues. However, the film’s initial public showing had a favorable reception. The picture became a box office hit, spawning a vast media franchise that included other movies, television, radio, video games, and print media.
In 1979, the Los Angeles, California native established his production firm, The Ladd Company. He rose to prominence with films such as Outland, Police Academy, Chariots of Fire, Gone Baby Gone, and others. Ladd Jr. then joined MGM/UA in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become Chairman and CEO of MGM-Pathe Communications. From 1988 through 1991, the business released three films: A Fish Called Wanda, Moonstruck, and Thelma & Louise.
In 1993, the producer relaunched the Ladd Company with Paramount Pictures, producing The Brady Bunch Movie and Braveheart. On September 28, 2007, he earned the 2,348th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ladd Jr. is survived by his second wife, Cindra, his children Kelliann, Tracy, and Amanda, as well as his brother David. Cindra and Ladd Jr. married in 1985, and their third daughter, Amanda, made a documentary on her father called Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies. Chelsea, another daughter, died in March 2021 at 34.
