Andrew Karpen dead: Movie legend dies aged 59 after battling rare brain cancer

Andrew Karpen, the iconic founder and CEO of Bleecker Street Media who was behind nominated films including Captain Fantastic and Trumbo, has at age 59 from glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. He had been diagnosed with the disease in 2024. Paying tribute in a statement his longtime friend and Bleecker Street's president Kent Sanderson said: "Our industry has lost a giant. Andrew taught us all so much, foremost of which is the value of kindness, honesty, and family above all else. His leadership and courage will inspire all of us at Bleecker Street for the rest of our lives."

Andrew had movingly spoken of his diagnosis in October last year at an event in celebration of Bleecker Street's 10th anniversary where he received Variety's Vanguard award. By then he was was using a wheelchair and said he was "not just honored to be here. I'm blessed to be here this year." He admitted receiving his diagnosis was "devastating," but he thanked his doctors, his wife Pam and their children for helping him through. "As you can see by my being here, nothing is impossible," he said.

Tributes flooded in for the well respected film executive. Bleeker Street posted on X: "With heavy hearts and fond memories, we mourn the loss of our CEO, our leader, our friend, Andrew Karpen."

"RIP Andrew Karpen, such a kind, smart, decent person. A tragic loss," another person wrote on the platform.

"I admired this man so much. He was charming and smart. Honest and straightforward. And he had great taste. A rare combination in our business. I will miss him. We lost a good one," a second added.

"This is a terrible loss not only for his family, but for the film community at large. He was one of one," a third penned.

Speaking about Bleeker Street to the Hollywood reporter in 2018 Andrew had said: "Some people will like some of our movies. Some people might not. But I'd like to think when they see a Bleecker movie, it's at least thought-provoking."

He began the company in 2014 when his then employers Focus Features opted to move its New York headquarters to Los Angeles. Not wanting to relocate his family he decided to strike out on his own. In the ten years snce it launched the company has been at the helm of over 75 hugely acclaimed and award winning films.

Trumbo and Captain Fantastic, both received Oscar nominations for their lead actors Bryan Cranston and Viggo Mortensen respectively. The company was also behind the Helen Mirren thriller Eye in the Sky, Steven Soderbergh's heist comedy Logan Lucky and the Blythe Danner romantic drama I'll See You in My Dreams.

Recent releases from the company nclude Rumours featuring an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander; as well as the BAFTA nominated Mike Leigh drama Hard Truths. Just this month, the company released The Wedding Banquet from director Andrew Ahn which stars Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Joan Chen and Yuh-jung Youn.

He is survied by his wife Pam, their sons Josh and Zack and daughter Sloan, as well as Josh's wife Kristen, who is expecting the couple's first child.