Stephen Emery, Producer and Entertainment Executive, Dies at 46
Stephen Emery, producer and entertainment executive, died suddenly after a workout in Redondo Beach, Calif., on Oct. 14. He was 46.
Emery was a producer at Big Swell Entertainment, a production company launched by Andy Horowitz in late 2022, and previously served as head of film and TV at The Solution Entertainment Group from 2016 until 2022. He is known for his work co-executive producing Netflix’s “Wheelman” and executive producing “Killerman,” “Line of Duty,” “Honest Thief” and the upcoming “Werewolves.”
“Everyone that had the pleasure to know Stephen Emery is heartbroken over the sudden loss of one of our own. Stephen was much more than an invaluable producer, he was also an irreplaceable friend,” Horowitz said in a statement. “His passion for film was outweighed only by his passion for life, and he lived every day like it was his last. We will miss his adventurous spirit, his loyal friendship, and his genuine love for life. Rest in peace, brother.”
Additionally, Emery served as executive vice president of production and development at Circle of Confusion from 2008 through 2015, where he executive produced “Mr. Right,” “Wake” and “Satanic.”
Emery began his career at Creative Artists Agency, working in the motion picture talent department for three years before moving to DreamWorks and Focus Features. He then worked as a production executive at Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Motion Picture, overseeing “Aeon Flux” for Paramount Pictures. Emery transitioned to running Bill Gerber’s company at Warner Bros., where they produced “Major Movie Star” for Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films and Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” for Warner Bros.
“Stephen was a gifted producer and a dear friend. We worked together at every stage of our career and were inspired by his joyful approach to filmmaking and zest for life. Stephen’s passing comes with great shock, especially after he survived and thrived after a sudden heart attack while running a triathlon in 2018,” frequent collaborators and friends Tai Duncan and Dave Brown said in a statement. “Stephen was an exemplification to all of his friends and colleagues of what it meant to live life to the fullest. His loss will be felt deeply in the community but his true friendship will be remembered and celebrated, always.”
A San Francisco Bay Area native, Emery was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers. He was a dual citizen, holding both a U.S. and U.K. passport. Emery also loved the Grateful Dead and was an avid outdoorsman. As a member of the NCAA division one varsity football team at the University of San Diego, he earned a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in film and television, as well as a business administration minor.
“Stephen grew up with a camcorder in his hand making movies in our backyard and he found his calling in Hollywood. Stephen was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend who connected us all and inspired all to chase their dreams,” his brother Shawn Gillis said in a statement.
Emery is survived by his brothers Shawn and Paul Gillis, parents Jan and Tony Emery and his girlfriend Chloe Christian, as well as his nieces and nephews.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
