Obituary: Salute to Dino De Laurentiis

Dino De Laurentiis

Dino De Laurentiis; Photo source

Legendary movie producer Dino De Laurentiis died in Los Angeles today at age 91.

Born in Italy, De Laurentiis opened the Dino De Laurentiis Studios there in 1947, before moving to  the U.S. in the 1970s. He won an Oscar in 1954 for best foreign-language film La Strada, and the Academy Awards gave him the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 2001. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Here’s a list of our favorite films produced by De Laurentiis:

  • Barbarella (1968) Jane Fonda in the future with a sexy outfit and a gun. Nice.
  • Serpico (1973) Al Pacino on the screen and Sidney Lumet behind the camera telling the true story of an honest New York cop who blew the whistle on police corruption until his comrades turned against him.
  • King Kong (1976) Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange and a great big ape. What more do you need?
  • Flash Gordon (1980) Flash! Aaa Ahh! A cult sci-fi classic.
  • Dune (1984) More great science fiction and Sting at his nastiest.
  • Manhunter (1986) The original Hannibal Lector movie.
  • Plus, the brilliant Red Dragon (2002).

Here’s his full list of movies.

Thank you, Dino.

Rest in peace.

What are your favorite De Laurentiis films?

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.