Andrew Precht was a talented art director who worked on several Oscar-nominated films, such as “The Abyss”, “Dances With Wolves”, “Misery”, and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”. He was also the grandson of television legend Ed Sullivan, who hosted the popular variety show that introduced America to the Beatles, Elvis Presley, and many other stars. Precht died on February 21, 1995, at the age of 34, while on location in Grenada for Ridley Scott’s film “White Squall”. However, the cause of his death remains unknown, as his family asked that it not be reported.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Precht was born and raised in Scarsdale, New York, and attended USC and the Southern California Institute of Architecture. He started his career as an art director in 1986, with the film “The Men’s Club”. He soon gained recognition for his work on various genres, from sci-fi to historical drama to horror. He collaborated with some of the most acclaimed directors in Hollywood, such as James Cameron, Kevin Costner, Rob Reiner, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg. He was nominated for an Art Directors Guild Award for his work on “Hook” in 1991.
A Loving Grandson and a Generous Soul
Precht was very close to his grandfather Ed Sullivan, who died in 1974. He recalled how Sullivan was proud of him and attended his school plays. He also remembered how Sullivan was always good-natured with his fans and had a genuine appreciation for African-American culture. Precht inherited his grandfather’s love for entertainment and his sense of social justice.
Precht was also a generous soul who donated to various causes, such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, which his family requested as a memorial in lieu of flowers. He was survived by his father, Robert Precht, a TV producer and broadcaster, his mother, Elizabeth, his two brothers, two sisters, and his grandmother, Agnes.
A Mystery Unsolved
The circumstances of Precht’s death are shrouded in mystery, as his family never revealed the cause or the details. Some sources suggest that he died of natural causes, while others hint at a possible suicide or accident. The only fact that is known is that he died while working on “White Squall”, a film about a group of teenage boys who face a storm while sailing on a schooner. The film was dedicated to his memory.
Precht’s death was a tragic loss for his family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented, kind, and generous person. His legacy lives on through his work, which continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.
