Hank Moonjean (January 19, 1930 – October 7, 2012) was an American
film producer
A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, di ...
,
executive producer
Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the making of a commercial entertainment product. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights o ...
, and
associate producer. His production credits included ''
Dangerous Liaisons'', ''
Child's Play'', and ''
The Great Gatsby'' and several movies featuring
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor, considered a sex symbol and icon of 1970s American popular culture.
Reynolds first rose to prominence when he starred in television series such as ' ...
.
Moonjean and film producer
Norma Heyman jointly received an
Academy Award for Best Picture
The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since the awards debuted in 1929. This award goes to the producers of the film and is the only category ...
nomination for the 1988 dramatic film, ''
Dangerous Liaisons''.
Life and career
Moonjean, who was
Armenian American
Armenian Americans ( hy, ամերիկահայեր, ''amerikahayer'') are citizens or residents of the United States who have total or partial Armenian ancestry. They form the second largest community of the Armenian diaspora after Armenians in ...
, was born in
Evanston, Illinois.
[ He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC).][ Soon after graduation from USC, he answered an employment ad for an interpreter at MGM Studios, and later became an uncredited ]assistant director
The role of an assistant director on a film includes tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, and maintaining order on the set. They also have to tak ...
for the 1954 film, ''Bhowani Junction
''Bhowani Junction'' is a 1954 novel by John Masters, which was the basis of a 1956 film starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger. It is set amidst the turbulence of the British withdrawal from India. It is notable for its portrayal of the Eu ...
'', directed by George Cukor.[ He worked for MGM for eight years.][ He became a second director for numerous MGM films while at the studio: '' Blackboard Jungle'', '']The Prodigal
''The Prodigal'' is a 1955 Eastmancolor biblical epic CinemaScope film made by MGM starring Lana Turner and Edmund Purdom. It was based on the New Testament parable about a selfish son who leaves his family to pursue a life of pleasure. The f ...
'', '' It's Always Fair Weather'', '' Love Me or Leave Me'', '' The Tender Trap'', '' I'll Cry Tomorrow'', '' A Catered Affair'', ''Kismet'', '' Tea and Sympathy'' and '' Raintree County''.[
Moonjean collaborated to produce or co-produce many films starring Burt Reynolds, including '' The End'' in 1978, '' Hooper'' in 1978, '' Smokey and the Bandit II'' in 1980, '' Paternity'' in 1981, '' Sharky's Machine'' in 1981, and '' Stroker Ace'' in 1983.][ In 1975, Moonjean was announced as producer of ]The Bryna Company
Bryna Productions (later renamed The Bryna Company) is an American independent film and television production company established by actor Kirk Douglas in 1949. The company also produced a handful of films through its subsidiaries, Michael Produc ...
film '' Something Wicked This Way Comes'', when it was set to be distributed through Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
, but he eventually left the project.[ He also donated an extensive collection of film advertisements to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.][
Hank Moonjean died from pancreatic cancer at his Hollywood Hills residence on October 7, 2012, at the age of 82.][ He was survived by his partner of 51 years, Bradley Bennett.][
]
Filmography
Film
;Assistant director
;Miscellaneous crew
;Production manager
Television
;As writer
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moonjean, Hank
1930 births
2012 deaths
American film directors
University of Southern California alumni
American people of Armenian descent
Deaths from pancreatic cancer
Deaths from cancer in California