R.I.P. Dino De Laurentiis

Dino De Laurentiis, the producer behind such films as the original Conan the Barbarian, has passed away in Beverly Hills at the age of 91.

The legendary film producer had a career that lasted 70 years, and produced over 500 films.  While the list of films that Mr. De Laurentiis produced is far too many to mention all, here are just a few: Serpico, Three Days of the Condor, Flash Gordon, King Kong (1976 version), Dune, Red Dragon, Cats’ Eye, Barbarella,  the Conan films (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), War and Peace and Nights of Cabiria – which won the 1956 Oscar for Best Foreign language film.

Through his years, he worked with some the best directors in film, including Frederico Fellini, David Lynch,  and David Cronenberg.

Along with the Oscar in 1956, De Laurentiis was nominated 38 times as well. At the 2001 Academy Awards, he received the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.  In 2003 , he collected a lifetime achievement award at the Venice film Festival.

He is survived by his second wife Martha and his six children.  Our condolences go out to his family, as well as our thanks to him for making the world of cinema certainly more colorful.