- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Robert Fitzpatrick, a music and film executive for a half-century, died Oct. 23 in Los Angeles following a long battle with lung disease.
Fitzpatrick got his start in Hollywood as an actor, landing roles in such Fox films as Goodbye Charlie (1964) with Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds and Dear Brigitte (1965) with Jimmy Stewart.
After putting himself through UCLA Law School in the mid-1960s, Fitzpatrick became an attorney and represented such superstars as The Beatles, The Who, the Rolling Stones and Peggy Lee.
He joined Robert Stigwood to become president of Stigwood Fitzpatrick Inc., managing such notables as Cream, the Bee Gees, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Taj Mahal, the Buckinghams, Shady Lady, Dick Dale & the Del-tones and Dobie Gray.
Related Stories
On the acting side, Fitzpatrick managed Don Johnson and Jay North (TV’s Dennis the Menace).
Fitzpatrick joined Allied Artists shortly after a 1999 lung transplant, initially heading the company’s music group, but soon became president of its corporate parent, Allied Artists International.
Despite the severity of his illness, Fitzpatrick until recently was actively functioning as executive producer and music supervisor on the upcoming Allied Artists feature A Magical Mystery Tour, a screenplay inspired by The Beatles, a former client.
Fitzpatrick’s soundtrack contributions at Allied include the box-office hits Pulp Fiction, Remember the Titans and The 51st State.
“I’ve known Robert since the late 1970s when he helped a young television soundtrack engineer earn his first gold record,” said Kim Richards, Allied Artists International CEO & chairman. “The engineer was me, and I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege of walking in Robert’s wake ever since. Regardless of the heights this company reaches in the future, they will never be the same without Robert Fitzpatrick by my side.”
Fitzpatrick is survived by his wife Denise, daughter Jennifer, brother David and sister Carol. Funeral arrangements are pending.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day