Mort Engelberg (August 20, 1937 – December 9, 2023) was an American film producer and later advance man for three presidential campaigns. He produced Smokey and the Bandit, The Big Easy, and The Hunter.[1][2]
Mort Engelberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1937 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | December 9, 2023 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Notable work | Smokey and the Bandit |
Early life and career
editEngelberg was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, graduated from the University of Illinois and obtained his master's degree from the University of Missouri. He worked as a journalist for several years before moving to Washington in 1961 to work for Sargent Shriver, the director of Peace Corps and later the director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, the agency responsible for administering most of the War on Poverty programs created as part of United States President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society program.[3][4]
Engelberg left the political sphere during the Vietnam War and moved to New York City to work for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1967. He moved on to United Artists, where he worked as assistant to the president of production.[4]
Engelberg returned to politics by working as the advance man for the presidential campaigns of Walter Mondale in 1984, for Michael Dukakis in 1988 and for Bill Clinton in 1992.[4]
Personal life and death
editIn 2016, he married Helaine Blatt, after a 26-year relationship.[3]
Mort Engelberg died at a Los Angeles hospital on December 9, 2023, at the age of 86. His brother Steven stated that the cause was lung cancer.[1]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Producer | Executive producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Smokey and the Bandit | Yes | |
| 1979 | Hot Stuff | Yes | |
| 1979 | The Villain | Yes | |
| 1980 | The Hunter | Yes | |
| 1981 | Nobody's Perfekt | Yes | |
| 1983 | Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 | Yes | |
| 1985 | The Heavenly Kid | Yes | |
| 1986 | The Big Easy | Yes | |
| 1987 | Three for the Road | Yes | |
| 1987 | Maid to Order | Yes | |
| 1987 | Dudes | Yes | |
| 1987 | Pass the Ammo | Yes | |
| 1987 | Russkies | Yes | |
| 1988 | Remote Control | Yes | |
| 1988 | Fright Night Part 2 | Yes | |
| 1992 | There Goes the Neighborhood | Yes |
References
edit- ^ a b Gabriel, Trip (December 13, 2023). "Mort Engelberg, Producer of Hit Films and Presidential Campaigns, Dies at 86". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Brian (December 15, 2023). "Mort Engelberg, who produced Hollywood films and Clinton campaign, dies at 86". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Kaloi, Stephanie (December 11, 2023). "Mort Engelberg, 'Smokey and the Bandit' Producer, Dies at 85". TheWrap. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c Nordyke, Kimberly (December 11, 2023). "Mort Engelberg, 'Smokey and the Bandit' Producer Who Worked on Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaigns, Dies at 86". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 16, 2023.