Thomas Augsberger, founder of Eden Rock Media and “Mr. Brooks’ EP dies at age 60

Deadline has learned that Thomas Augsberger, founder, producer and international media consultant for Eden Rock Media, passed away suddenly today at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 60 years old.

The German-born and trained lawyer has advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most notably Germany’s Leonine Studios. Before Leonine, Augsberger was a consultant for dr. Tele Munich Group. Herbert Kloiber as TMG’s exclusive North American representative in the USA.

In 2002 he founded Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consultancy.

Augsberger is widely recognized for his extensive experience in the production and acquisition of feature films, television series and content libraries. Investments in US distribution and manufacturing companies; the co-financing, co-production and distribution of film, television and digital projects; and negotiating German production contracts with theater, home entertainment and television studios. Over the course of his 26-year consulting career, Augsberger has acquired hundreds of individual film and television projects as pre-purchases from American producers, sales agents and studios, including pre-purchases of Marvel films. Iron Man Franchise, Oscar winner Voltage The pain vaultTop priorities Shutter IslandTops dusk Franchise, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise, Knife outand most recently the worldwide hit The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (which just passed the $200 million mark worldwide) as well as the upcoming Lionsgate films border areas And ballerina. On television, Augsberger optioned and licensed German-language rights to series such as flash point, Anger managementAnd The night manager. He also oversaw several TMG investments in the US, including a preferred stock investment in Lionsgate Entertainment in 1999 and the acquisition of Mutual Film Library in 2006.

As a producer, Augsberger has developed and produced more than 15 independently financed feature films, primarily from first-time writer/directors. This includes Loch Ness incidentScreenplay and direction: Zak Penn with Werner Herzog; WaitWritten and directed by Rob McKittrick, starring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Farris; Mr. BrooksCo-written and directed by Bruce Evans, starring Kevin Costner, Tucker & Dale versus evilCo-written and directed by Eli Craig, starring Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk Comfortwritten by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin, directed by Afonso Poyart, starring Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Abbie Cornish.

He was most recently an executive producer The professionalswritten by Michael Colleary and starring Brendan Fraser and Tom Welling Spy citywritten by William Boyd and starring Dominic Cooper.

He is one of the founders of Filmaka, BestEverChannels and Liquid Light. He was a board member of Lionsgate from 2002 to 2004 and, at his death, a board member of BEC, Liquid Light and ROW8, an American PVOD and EST platform.

Leonine’s Fred Kogel said: “I’m devastated.” Thomas was a unique character that you don’t see anymore and above all a friend. My thoughts are with his family as they deal with this terrible loss.”

Joe Drake of Lionsgate said: “Thomas was completely unique and a special colleague in our company. So many wonderful memories have been created over the 30 years of our friendship. Always thoughtful, articulate, tough and deeply human – that was his superpower. No wonder he is so loved and has so many friends. We will miss him very much and our thoughts are with his family.”

Toby Emmerich said: “Having known Thomas for over thirty years, I have never ceased to admire his zest for life and fundamental optimism. Truly one of the kindest, funniest and most surprising people you will ever meet. I knew him best as a friend, a passionate filmmaker, and a deeply loving and devoted husband and father. And on the surprise front, an opera singer, former male model and a shockingly fast and agile tennis and soccer player! The second to last time I saw Thomas was at UCLA to hear Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wesson talk about their book Hollywood: The Oral History. Thomas was fortunately there with his 16-year-old daughter Helena, who, unsurprisingly, is a passionate filmmaker herself. Thomas will be missed by all who knew him.”

Patrick Wachsberger said: “I miss a wonderful friend with the most beautiful singing voice; an incredibly smart colleague. Thomas is irreplaceable. A great loss to all who had the wonderful opportunity to know him.”

Longtime friend, screenwriter and filmmaker Zak Penn said: “There are people you rarely hear about who are as responsible for films as any director, writer or star.” People like Thomas Augsberger – a smart, sunny and relentless force of nature, who made so many films possible. He was a great lawyer, producer, athlete, opera singer and above all, husband and father. It hurts me to know I’m not going to hear that deep baritone anymore, I’m going to miss him terribly.”