Martha De Laurentiis, the famed TV Producer who had been a part of the entertainment world for over forty years now, has been pronounced dead this Saturday morning. The woman behind shows like Hannibal and films like Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising, Martha passed away peacefully at the age of 67, after a long battle with cancer.
Being someone who was associated with the entertainment world for several decades, it is understandable how her loss has affected the ones associated with it, in addition to her friends and family. Noted television writer Bryan Fuller posted a picture of her on Instagram following her passing with the words, “What an amazing lady. Martha De Laurentiis left us yesterday peacefully with her family at her side. Long live Martha and her brilliant legacy.”
Dina De Laurentiis, Martha’s daughter with her late husband Dino De Laurentiis, released a statement on Sunday about the departed:
Celebrating Martha De Laurentiis: A 40-Year-Long Career in TV and Film Production
Born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 10, 1954, Martha attended Ball State University and briefly worked as a model in New York before her journey in the world of production began. She eventually joined Dino De Laurentiis Communications as an assistant production accountant on the Milos Forman film Ragtime. However, it was her work as an associate producer on the adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter, that began a long production partnership with Dino (whom she went on to marry). Together, the couple started the Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina.
“My mother was both a warm, generous, optimistic soul — my father always referred to her as his ‘sunshine’ — and a fierce protector… A treasured wife, mother and grandmother and a friend who touched so many, as well as a nurturer — and protector — of creative people on the movies and television she loved. She put family first but got up every morning passionate about building upon my father’s legacy and continuing to forge her own. Her kindness, intelligence and grace will continue to inspire us.”
Martha’s association with the famed Hannibal Lecter began with her role as the producer of the 2001 film Hannibal, which was an adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel. She went on to produce more films featuring the character, like Red Dragon in 2002 and Hannibal Rising in 2007. She was also the Executive Producer of NBC’s run of Hannibal, the critically-acclaimed series that follows Harris’ novel Red Dragon.
Her death marked the end of an era, and she is survived by her two daughters, Carolyna and Dina.
