Peter E. Strauss obit

Peter E. Strauss, Executive at Lionsgate and Mandalay Pictures, Dies at 83

Strauss served as an executive at Lionsgate, Mandalay Pictures, IMG and Allied Artists. 

He was not on the list.

Peter E. Strauss, a producer behind recent films like The Jacket and Air who served as an executive at Lionsgate, Mandalay Pictures, IMG and Allied Artists, has died. He was 83.

Strauss died on Oct. 6 at his home in Beverly Hills. At his side were his wife of 46 years, Susan, and his son, Jonathan.

Strauss most recently served as executive vice president at Mandalay for 25 years. He well-known for his work in expanding independent cinema, pioneering foreign sales and off-balance-sheet financing for independent films.

Prior to Mandalay, Strauss worked as president of Lionsgate Entertainment, which he helped establish with founder Frank Giustra in 1997. He also oversaw the production of over 30 films, including Phil Collins’ Buster, Charlie and Martin Sheen’s Cadence and the Best of the Best series, while president, CEO and chairman of the International Movie Group.

Strauss also worked as executive vice president of Rastar Films, Ray Stark’s production company, in the 1970s, where he helped produce 1979’s The Electric Horseman and 1979’s The Villain. In the 1980s, Strauss founded Panache Productions, and oversaw 1983’s Dance of the Dwarfs and 1986 Thunder Run.

Strauss began his career at Allied Artists, where he eventually became the executive vice president and helped produce films such as Cabaret, which won the 1973 Oscar for best picture. He also oversaw 1973’s Papillon and 1975’s The Man Who Would Be King.

Strauss attended Oberlin College, the London School of Economics and Columbia University School of Law. He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Strauss is survived by his wife, Susan, his son, Jonathan, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth and grandchildren, Teddy and Caroline.

A private graveside service was held on Oct. 8, and a celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.

Producer

Ben Kingsley, Scott Adkins, Daniel Bernhardt, Terry Crews, Marko Zaror, Sofia Boutella, Dave Bautista, Drew McIntyre, and Pom Klementieff in The Killer's Game (2024)

The Killer's Game

5.7

executive producer

2024

 

John Cena and Alison Brie in Freelance (2023)

Freelance

5.5

executive producer

2023

 

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, and Viola Davis in Air (2023)

Air

7.4

executive producer

2023

 

Alyssa Milano and Sam Page in Brazen (2022)

Brazen

4.2

producer

2022

 

Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Rene Russo in Just Getting Started (2017)

Just Getting Started

4.6

executive producer (as Peter Strauss)

2017

 

Gabrielle Anwar and Colin Egglesfield in Carnal Innocence (2011)

Carnal Innocence

5.2

TV Movie

executive producer

2011

 

Brittany Murphy and Jason Lewis in Tribute (2009)

Tribute

5.4

TV Movie

executive producer

2009

 

Ivan Sergei and Emilie de Ravin in High Noon (2009)

High Noon

5.8

TV Movie

executive producer

2009

 

Jerry O'Connell and Lauren Stamile in Midnight Bayou (2009)

Midnight Bayou

5.7

TV Movie

executive producer

2009

 

Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes in Northern Lights (2009)

Northern Lights

5.7

TV Movie

executive producer

2009

 

Claire Forlani and Oliver Hudson in Carolina Moon (2007)

Carolina Moon

5.8

TV Movie

executive producer

2007

 

Alicia Witt and Matthew Settle in Blue Smoke (2007)

Blue Smoke

5.5

TV Movie

executive producer

2007

 

John Corbett and Ashley Williams in Montana Sky (2007)

Montana Sky

6.0

TV Movie

executive producer

2007

 

Heather Locklear and Johnathon Schaech in Angels Fall (2007)

Angels Fall

5.7

TV Movie

executive producer (as Peter Strauss)

2007

 

The Jacket (2005)

The Jacket

7.1

executive producer

2005

 

Billy Bob Thornton and Lisa Blount in Chrystal (2004)

Chrystal

6.5

executive producer

2004

 

Armand Assante, Bryan Brown, and Rachel Ward in On the Beach (2000)

On the Beach

6.9

TV Movie

executive producer (as Peter Strauss)

2000

 

Ernie Hudson, Jessica Collins, and Phillip Rhee in Best of the Best 4: Without Warning (1998)

Best of the Best 4: Without Warning

4.8

Video

producer

1998

 

Jennifer Sommerfeld in Wildly Available (1996)

Wildly Available

4.0

executive producer

1996

 

Gina Gershon and Phillip Rhee in Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back (1995)

Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back

4.9

producer

1995

 

Eric Roberts and Phillip Rhee in Best of the Best II (1993)

Best of the Best II

5.6

executive producer

producer

1993

 

Sunset Grill (1993)

Sunset Grill

4.8

executive producer

1993

 

By the Sword (1991)

By the Sword

6.4

producer

1991

 

The Runestone (1991)

The Runestone

4.8

executive producer

1991

 

Killer Instinct (1990)

Killer Instinct

4.9

executive producer

1990

 

Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen in Cadence (1990)

Cadence

6.5

executive producer

1990

 

Kris Kristofferson and Jeffrey Meek in Night of the Cyclone (1990)

Night of the Cyclone

4.1

executive producer (as Peter Strauss)

1990

 

James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, and Eric Roberts in Best of the Best (1989)

Best of the Best

6.4

producer (produced by)

1989

 

W.B., Blue and the Bean (1989)

W.B., Blue and the Bean

4.4

Video

executive producer

1989

 

Phil Collins in Buster (1988)

Buster

5.9

executive producer (as Peter Strauss)

1988

 

Silent Assassins (1988)

Silent Assassins

4.9

executive producer

1988

 

Thunder Run (1985)

Thunder Run

5.0

executive producer

1985

 

Dance of the Dwarfs (1983)

Dance of the Dwarfs

3.9

executive producer

1983

 

Touched by Love (1980)

Touched by Love

6.6

executive producer

1980

 

Greg Bradford and Katherine Kelly Lang in Skatetown U.S.A. (1979)

Skatetown U.S.A.

4.9

executive producer

1979

 

Romance of a Horsethief (1971)

Romance of a Horsethief

5.1

executive producer

1971

 

Additional Crew

Winston Duke in Nine Days (2020)

Nine Days

6.8

executive vice president: Mandalay Pictures

2020