Erik Lomis, the late MGM film distribution executive, was posthumously honored as the recipient of the Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Award at a charity dinner held at the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday.
Paramount domestic distribution chief Chris Aronson hosted the event, sharing memories of one of his closest — and most profanity-laden — friends in the business. Among the stories Aronson told was the time that he suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that required hours of surgery and woke up in the hospital to find Lomis, suffering from a painful kidney stone, waiting by his bedside.
“‘What the F are you doing here?’” Aronson recalled asking Lomis, “I thought you were in the hospital. He said ‘Yeah, I was, but I heard you might die, so I thought I better get over here until you did.’ That was Erik Lomis, and that’s the way he was. The best and most loyal friend.
Paramount domestic distribution chief Chris Aronson hosted the event, sharing memories of one of his closest — and most profanity-laden — friends in the business. Among the stories Aronson told was the time that he suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that required hours of surgery and woke up in the hospital to find Lomis, suffering from a painful kidney stone, waiting by his bedside.
“‘What the F are you doing here?’” Aronson recalled asking Lomis, “I thought you were in the hospital. He said ‘Yeah, I was, but I heard you might die, so I thought I better get over here until you did.’ That was Erik Lomis, and that’s the way he was. The best and most loyal friend.
- 10/5/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The movie industry gave the late Erik Lomis — the bold and shrewd studio distribution chief who released hundreds of movies during his career — a fitting sendoff Wednesday night.
Lomis, who died suddenly in March at age 64, posthumously received the 2023 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Award during an emotional and touching ceremony at The Beverly Hilton on Oct. 4. And, in a surprise for those attending, Philadelphia Eagles’ radio announcer Merrill Reese narrated a tribute reel shown before team Eagles mascot Swoop presented the Pioneer Award to Lomis’ widow, Patricia Laucella (the Philly born and raised Lomis was a diehard Eagles fan).
Patricia Laucella
“Your instinct and inspiration never led you astray. I’m honored to have worked so closely with you,” said Creed series star and Creed III director Michael B. Jordan via video (the MGM threequel was the last film Lomis released in theaters before his death).
The long list of filmmakers,...
Lomis, who died suddenly in March at age 64, posthumously received the 2023 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Award during an emotional and touching ceremony at The Beverly Hilton on Oct. 4. And, in a surprise for those attending, Philadelphia Eagles’ radio announcer Merrill Reese narrated a tribute reel shown before team Eagles mascot Swoop presented the Pioneer Award to Lomis’ widow, Patricia Laucella (the Philly born and raised Lomis was a diehard Eagles fan).
Patricia Laucella
“Your instinct and inspiration never led you astray. I’m honored to have worked so closely with you,” said Creed series star and Creed III director Michael B. Jordan via video (the MGM threequel was the last film Lomis released in theaters before his death).
The long list of filmmakers,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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