Jeremy Thomas, Oscar-Winning Film Producer, Dies at 77

British film producer David Puttnam, best known for his work on the Academy‑Award‑winning *The Last Emperor* and the critically acclaimed *Sexy Beast*, died on Tuesday at the age of 78. The 1964‑born producer had a career spanning more than four decades, during which he collaborated with a wide range of international directors, from Bernardo Bertolucci to Ken Watanabe, and helped bring a diverse array of stories to global audiences.

Puttnam’s filmography includes a mix of historical epics, dramas and thrillers, and he was recognised for his ability to balance artistic ambition with commercial viability. He earned an Academy Award for Best Picture for *The Last Emperor* (1987) and received a BAFTA Fellowship in 2010 for his contributions to the British film industry. His work on *Sexy Beast* (2000) further cemented his reputation for supporting bold, unconventional projects that pushed genre boundaries.

Industry colleagues have described Puttnam as a visionary who championed cross‑cultural collaboration and nurtured emerging talent. His legacy will be felt in the continued success of the films he produced and in the generations of filmmakers he inspired to pursue global storytelling.