Producer David Brown Dies February 1, 2010

David Brown, July 28, 1916 – Feb. 1, 2010, courtly producer of Steven Spielberg’s early films and other hits, has died at his home in Manhattan. He was 93.

The description of David Brown harkens to a different era. He is described as having a mannerly way, always in fine clothing with a distinctive mustache and projecting a fine, courtly presence. His early days were in publishing as a journalist, rising to become a managing editor at Cosmopolitan.

When David Brown switched to film, it was a partnering up with Richard Zanuck and the pair eventually formed their own production company. One of their first films was the 1973 hit “The Sting” starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman.  The next year, they produced “The Sugarland Express” with Steven Spielberg and then hired him to direct the cult-classic shark movie, “Jaws.”

From there, more mega-hits followed including “Cocoon,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” and “The Verdict” where he worked with Paul Newman in the starring role again. Even after the partnership with Zanuck dissolved, David Brown continued to produce some of the most well-known big screen hits of the day. He produced two Alex Cross movies, “Kiss The Girls” and “Along Came a Spider” with Morgan Freeman starring and ended up buying the film and stage rights to “A Few Good Men” written by playwright Aaron Sorkin.

The play opened November 1989 going strong for 500 performances and the film, released in 1992, was also successful starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

“He was the last great gentleman producer,” Mr. Sorkin said in an interview. “You’re not going to see his kind again.”