Popular Hollywood director Jamie Christopher died of heart complications Wednesday at the age of 52 in Los Angeles, according to a report from Metro.
Christopher worked as a key first assistant director on all eight ‘Harry Potter’ films, as well as a number of recent blockbusters such as the move ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ and many Marvel movies.
He frequently worked with top directors Rian Johnson and James Gunn.
Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito, the heads of Marvel Studio, put out a joint statement expressing their remorse at the loss of a colleague so young.
“We are incredibly saddened by Jamie’s passing. He has been a part of the Marvel Studios team for over a decade, and on productions like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, ‘Black Widow’ and more,” the statement said.
“He was a calm presence behind the camera, and a wonderful, supportive crew member on set,” it continued.
“Jamie first joined Marvel Studios as an AD on ‘Thor: The Dark World’ and because of his hard work and diligence was upped to an Executive Producer on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ and the upcoming ‘Fantastic Four’.”
“Jamie was a beloved member of our Marvel Studios family, and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family and friends,” the statement said.
Johnson also expressed his condolences to the Christopher family through a public statement.
“Jamie was a good friend, and he loved making movies,” Johnson’s statement read. “He loved his crew, loved his job, the process of it and the history of it. He was truly one of the greats, and this is a heartbreaking loss for everyone who was lucky enough to work with him.”
Christopher started his assistant director career in 1992 as third assistant on David Fincher’s hit 1992 sci-fi “Alien 3.” He worked his way up in the industry until landing the role of the first assistant director during his work on the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise.
Christopher is survived by his wife and five children.
The Horn editorial team