Robert Evans, the charismatic and flamboyant producer and studio chief who resurrected Paramount Pictures in the 1960s by reprising such classics as Rosemary's Baby, The Godfather and Chinatown to the big screen, has died at the age of 89.
"Our son, Joshua, and I will miss Bob tremendously," his ex-wife, actress Ali MacGraw, said in a statement. Also added that "we are so very proud of his enormous contribution to the Film Industry. He will be remembered as a giant." A representative for Evans confirmed his death, though no cause has given.
Evans was best known for running and revitalizing Paramount in the late Sixties and early Seventies, overseeing hits like The Odd Couple, Rosemary’s Baby, The Italian Job, Love Story, and The Godfather. As a producer, he worked on Chinatown — for which he earned his sole Oscar nomination — as well as Marathon Man, Urban Cowboy, Popeye, and, more recently, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starting Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.
How to Lose a Guy would prove to be Evans’ last film. While he remained a fixture on the Paramount lot, the various projects he worked on failed to launch. In July this year, Evans’ deal with Paramount finally expired and was not renewed, ending a 45-year partnership.
