Passing of a Film Industry Icon
Lionsgate manager Jason Constantine has passed away at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer. Constantine was a respected figure in the film industry, known for his fearless spirit and creative energy.
A Career Spanning Over 25 Years
Constantine began his career over 25 years ago at Trimark Pictures, the predecessor to Lionsgate. He started as a director of acquisitions and worked his way up to become co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in acquiring and producing several successful films and franchises.
Notable Film Franchises
Some of the notable franchises and films that Constantine worked on include:
- The Saw franchise, which grossed over $1 billion at the box office
- The John Wick series
- The Expendables franchise
- Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture
- Precious, which was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two
- Knives Out, which was a sleeper hit at the box office
Tributes and Legacy
Lionsgate released a statement paying tribute to Constantine, saying, "With his fearless spirit, his creative energy, and his permanent talent relationships, Jason embodied the best of our studio and our industry. His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchise companies." The statement also highlighted Constantine’s principles, which included the belief that great ideas can come from anywhere and that creative decisions should be courageous and daring.
Personal Life and Education
Constantine was a native of California and graduated from Princeton University with a BA. He also held an MFA in film production from Loyola Marymount University. He was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of film facts and figures and was a passionate film fan.
Family and Donations
Constantine is survived by his wife, Kristin, and their three sons, Lucas, Nicholas, and Xander. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support brain cancer research at Stanford or UCLA, in memory of Constantine. The donations will go towards funding research by his neurosurgeons, Dr. Michael Lim, Dr. Tim Cloughesy, and Dr. Robert Chong.
