David Matalon Courtesy Searchlight Pictures Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment David Matalon, a film executive and producer who co-founded TriStar Pictures and served as the CEO of Regency for several years, died on Tuesday. He was 82. Matalon died at his home in Beverly Hills, Searchlight Pictures' Nastasya Morauw confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. His cause of death wasn't immediately available. Born on July 5, 1943, he began his career in Hollywood at Columbia Pictures International, eventually being named executive vice president. He later departed the company to co-found and serve as president of TriStar Pictures in 1982, where he helped shape the studio's early identity and strategic direction. Related Stories TV Craig Kellem, Producer on 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Munsters Today,' Dies at 82 Movies Lise Bourdin, Actress in Billy Wilder's 'Love in the Afternoon,' Dies at 99 After, he went on to lead day-to-day operations at Regency from 1995 to 2008. Under his leadership, the independent film studio produced acclaimed titles such as L.A. Confidential, Heat, Fight Club, Unfaithful, Entrapment, and The Fountain. Other hit films produced by Regency also included Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Epic Movie. During Matalon's tenure, Regency also signed an exclusive 15-year distribution pact with 20th Century Fox, helping to solidify its place in the entertainment industry. "I'm entering the third act of my life, and I want to spend the third act doing things I love - and I love film," Matalon said in 2007 before leaving Regency. "When you run a company, you are far removed from the agony and the ecstasy of making films." Following his time at TriStar, Matalon also worked for some time as an independent producer. His credits included 1993's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio; 1994's Color of Night, starring Bruce Willis and Jane March; 1993's Hear No Evil, with Marlee Matlin; and 1997's Breaking Up, starring Russell Crowe and Salma Hayek. Matalon is survived by his daughters, Michelle and Shirlee; his brothers, Roy and Amnon; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Michelle Pfeiffer 'Oh. What. Fun.' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer in Michael Showalter's Generic Holiday Ode to Underappreciated Moms The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro to Receive BFI Fellowship Honor Roofman 'Roofman' Stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst Talk That Nude Scene, Which Toys They Took From Set Timothee Chalamet "The Best Movie of the Year": What Critics Are Saying About 'Marty Supreme' Zoe Saldaña Sam Worthington Weighs in on Future of 'Avatar' After 'Fire and Ash': "To Me, This Was Always the Final Battle" Heat Vision Gary Dauberman Signs With WME (Exclusive) Michelle Pfeiffer 'Oh. What. Fun.' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer in Michael Showalter's Generic Holiday Ode to Underappreciated Moms The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro to Receive BFI Fellowship Honor Roofman 'Roofman' Stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst Talk That Nude Scene, Which Toys They Took From Set Timothee Chalamet "The Best Movie of the Year": What Critics Are Saying About 'Marty Supreme' Zoe Saldaña Sam Worthington Weighs in on Future of 'Avatar' After 'Fire and Ash': "To Me, This Was Always the Final Battle" Heat Vision Gary Dauberman Signs With WME (Exclusive)