A trailblazing force in Hollywood who shaped iconic films from "Flashdance" to "Interstellar" has concluded her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry.
According to NBC News, Lynda Obst, the influential producer behind numerous beloved films, including "Sleepless in Seattle" and collaborations with Tom Hanks, passed away Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 74 after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Her brother Rick Rosen, a partner at WME, shared this heartfelt tribute about her groundbreaking career:
I was immensely proud of her. She was a trailblazer for women in the industry at a time when it was very difficult for women to have prominent roles. She was passionate about her work but even more passionate about her family.
Obst's journey to Hollywood began with her role as an editor at the New York Times Magazine and her work on "The Sixties" book project. Her move to Los Angeles proved transformative when she secured a development position with Peter Guber at Casablanca Records and FilmWorks.
The discovery and development of "Flashdance" marked her first production credit, launching a career that would span decades and include numerous successful films and television projects.
Her partnership with producer Debra Hill, encouraged by Paramount's Dawn Steele, established one of the first all-female production companies in Hollywood. This resulted in successful films like Adventures in Babysitting and The Fisher King.
Her recent years were dedicated to television production, with credits including "The Hot Zone," "Good Girls Revolt," and "Hot in Cleveland." Her last feature film credit was the 2014 Christopher Nolan science fiction epic "Interstellar."
At the time of her passing, Obst had several projects in development, including "K-Pop: Lost in America," "The Female Persuasion," a Heart biopic, and a mini-series about Sally Ride.
Her contributions to the industry earned her recognition from Women in Film in 2016, acknowledging her role in creating opportunities for female producers.
Beyond her production work, Obst shared her industry insights through two influential books: "Hello, He Lied & Other Tales From the Hollywood Trenches" and "Sleepless in Hollywood: Tales From the New Abnormal in the Movie Business."
Her writing career extended to journalism, where she served as an Oscar columnist for New York Magazine alongside David Edelstein, maintaining her connection to both the entertainment and publishing worlds.
Her varied career encompassed work on beloved films such as "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," "Hope Floats," and "Contact," demonstrating her versatility as a producer.
Lynda Obst's passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood production. The veteran producer's career began with editing "The Sixties" and culminated with contemporary television productions. Her groundbreaking partnership with one of Hollywood's first female-led production companies paved the way for future generations. She demonstrated exceptional versatility through projects ranging from romantic comedies to science fiction epics.
