Andrew Karpen dead: Movie legend dies aged 59 after battling rare brain cancer

Andrew Karpen, the iconic founder and CEO of Bleecker Street Media who was behind Oscar nominated films including Captain Fantastic and Trumbo, has died at age 59 from glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.He had been diagnosed with the disease in 2024. Paying tribute in a statement his longtime friend and Bleecker Street's president Kent Sanderson said: "Our industry has lost a giant. "Andrew taught us all so much, foremost of which is the value of kindness, honesty, and family above all else. His leadership and courage will inspire all of us at Bleecker Street for the rest of our lives."

Andrew had movingly spoken of his diagnosis in October last year at a Variety event in celebration of Bleecker Street's 10th anniversary. By then he was wasusing a wheelchair and he said he was "not just honored to be here. I'm blessed to be here this year." He admitted receiving his diagnosis was "devastating," but he thanked his doctors, his wife Pam and their children for helping him through. "As you can see by my being here, nothing is impossible," he said.

Tributes flooded in for the well respected film executive. Bleeker Street posted on X: "With heavy hearts and fond memories, we mourn the loss of our CEO, our leader, our friend, Andrew Karpen."

"RIP Andrew Karpen, such a kind, smart, decent person. A tragic loss," another person wrote on the platform.

"I admired this man so much. He was charming and smart. Honest and straightforward. And he had great taste. A rare combination in our business. I will miss him. We lost a good one," a second added.

"This is a terrible loss not only for his family, but for the film community at large. He was one of one," a third penned.

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