Lloyd Phillips (L), executive producer, and actor Antonio
Banderas pose at the after party for the premiere of 'The
Legend of Zorro' at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on
in October 2005. Photo Getty Images
New Zealand's first Oscar winner has died suddenly of a
heart attack in the United States.
Lloyd Phillips, who was 63, worked on some of Hollywood's
biggest films, including as executive producer of
blockbusters Inglourious Basterds and The Tourist, Nikau Film
Productions said.
Phillips was born in South Africa but grew up in Auckland,
where he attended Auckland Grammar School.
He worked as a photo journalist before being selected to
attend the National Film School in Britain in 1973.
In 1981 he won the best short film, live action Oscar for his
action film The Dollar Bottom.
Later in his career he was executive producer of the Quentin
Tarantino movie Inglourious Basterds starring Brad Pitt, and
executive producer of The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp and
Angelina Jolie.
He died suddenly of a heart attack on Saturday evening in
Malibu, Los Angeles, Nikau Film Productions said.
Weta Workshop director Sir Richard Taylor said Phillips was a
"fantastic" person who he would visit every time he was in
Los Angeles.
Phillips had a bad fall a couple of months ago, but before
that he had never been fitter and healthier.
"It's come as a huge shock to everyone, " Sir Richard told
Radio New Zealand.
Phillips fought hard to bring work to New Zealand.
"[He was] always a tireless campaigner for films to be made
here and for New Zealanders to go up and work from around the
world," Sir Richard said.
Sir Richard said Phillips moved to Los Angeles when he
realised he could make a career for himself there.
"He really started to see that he could make a real impact
and make an incredible career if he was to go to the very
heart if the film industry."
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