Oscar-winning British film producer Jeremy Thomas has died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire at the age of 77, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Thomas was best known for producing The Last Emperor, a film that won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. With a career spanning decades, Thomas was a key supporter of independent and international cinema, helping bring many acclaimed films to global audiences. Throughout his career, Thomas worked with some of the most respected directors in the film industry, including Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg, Nicolas Roeg, and Nagisa Oshima. He produced films such as Sexy Beast, The Sheltering Sky, and Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, which featured David Bowie in a notable role. He also collaborated with directors like Jonathan Glazer, Stephen Frears, and David Mackenzie on a range of critically acclaimed projects. Thomas began his career in the film industry in a behind-the-scenes role, working on the cutting-room floor—where editors refine and assemble film footage. His first producing role came with Mad Dog Morgan, a 1976 Australian film about a 19th-century outlaw. He was born in 1949 into a family deeply connected to cinema; his father, Ralph Thomas, was a well-known film director, and his uncle, Gerald Thomas, directed the popular Carry On comedy series. Thomas received numerous accolades for his work, including an Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema Award from the European Film Academy in 2006. He worked with Nicolas Roeg on several films, including Bad Timing and Eureka, and collaborated with Nagisa Oshima on Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence. He also worked extensively with Bernardo Bertolucci, producing films such as The Sheltering Sky and The Dreamers. His filmography includes A Dangerous Method, a historical drama directed by David Cronenberg, and the controversial Crash, which was banned in parts of the UK due to its graphic content. Thomas’s recent projects include The Good Boy and a 2025 psychological thriller, as well as a new film with Japanese director Takashi Miike, Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.