Erik Lomis, a veteran film distribution executive who worked at MGM, United Artists Releasing and the Weinstein Company, died suddenly on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 64 years old. His cause of death is unknown.
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A Champion of Cinema and a Loyal Friend
Lomis had a long and successful career in Hollywood, handling the theatrical release of numerous blockbusters and Oscar winners. He developed long-standing relationships with filmmakers such as Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sylvester Stallone, Irwin Winkler and Ryan Coogler. He was also a champion of cinema and a loyal friend to many in the industry.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon’s Mike Hopkins, Jennifer Salke and Chris Brearton said in a note to staff: “Erik was truly one of a kind and an icon in our industry. His passion was undeniable, and he has meant so much to so many over the years. We are all better for having known him.”
Warner Bros. Pictures co-chair and former MGM co-chief Pamela Abdy also expressed her grief in a statement: “I am heartbroken by the loss of Erik. He was a champion of cinema and truly a loyal friend to all.”
A Three-Decade Career in Hollywood
Lomis began his film career as a teenager when he worked as a movie theater usher. He later became the head film buyer at Sameric Corp in Philadelphia, where he was also responsible for real estate development. He then moved on to be the head of the national film department at United Artists Theatres, the nation’s largest theater chain.
He joined MGM in 1993 and worked there until 2011 as the president of worldwide distribution. He oversaw the release of films such as Legally Blonde (2001), Barbershop (2002) and the James Bond films GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002).
He then moved to The Weinstein Co. and served as the president of worldwide theatrical distribution, home entertainment and acquisitions from 2011 to 2016. He handled the release of films such as The Artist (2011), The Iron Lady (2011), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Django Unchained (2012), The Imitation Game (2014) and The Hateful Eight (2015).
He later launched a distribution division and in-theater marketing department at Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures in 2016. He worked on films such as Vice (2018) and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), as well as the domestic release of Daniel Craig’s Bond films and Creed II (2018).
He then joined United Artists Releasing in 2019 as the president of distribution. He led the rollout of films such as Women Talking (2021) and No Time to Die (2021), which faced immense challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He returned to MGM in 2021 after Amazon acquired the studio. He was in charge of theatrical distribution and was preparing for the release of Ben Affleck’s Air (2023), which is playing in theaters before landing on Amazon Prime.
A Legacy That Will Live On
Lomis is survived by his wife, Patricia Laucella; his children, Natalia Jovovich, Nicole Rose Lomis and Zach Lomis; his stepmother, Joanne Lomis; sister, Sandy McGuigan; and brother Charles Lomis.
He leaves behind a legacy that will live on through his work and his impact on the film industry. He will be remembered as a visionary leader, a passionate advocate and a beloved colleague.
