Stanley R. Jaffe, the Oscar-winning producer and studio executive known for films such as “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Fatal Attraction,” has died at his home in Rancho Mirage at the age of 84. His daughter, Betsy Jaffe, confirmed his passing.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, Jaffe was the son of Columbia Pictures chairman Leo Jaffe, who received the Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1979. He pursued a career in the entertainment industry, earning an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1962 before starting at Seven Arts as an assistant to co-founder Eliot Hyman.
Jaffe’s early success as a producer came with “Goodbye, Columbus” (1969), based on Philip Roth’s novella. The film, directed by Larry Peerce and starring Richard Benjamin and Ali MacGraw, became a hit for Paramount and led Gulf & Western president Charles Bluhdorn to offer Jaffe a leadership role at the studio.
At 29, Jaffe became executive vice president and COO of Paramount Pictures in 1969, making him the youngest head of a major Hollywood studio. During his tenure, he approved projects such as “Love Story” (1970) and “The Godfather” (1972), working alongside head of production Robert Evans. He left Paramount in 1971 but later returned in 1991 as chairman of Paramount Communications, overseeing Paramount Pictures, Simon & Schuster, and Madison Square Garden. One of his proudest moments came in 1994 when the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup, earning him a place among the names engraved on the trophy.
As an independent producer, Jaffe launched Jaffilms, a company affiliated with Columbia Pictures. Among his notable productions was “The Bad News Bears” (1976), starring Walter Matthau and Tatum O’Neal. He also directed “Without a Trace” (1983), a drama about a missing child.
His greatest professional recognition came with “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Jaffe secured the film rights before Avery Corman’s novel was published, hiring Robert Benton to direct and casting Meryl Streep in what became a career-defining role.
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Jaffe partnered with former Fox executive Sherry Lansing in 1984 to create Jaffe-Lansing Productions, which produced films such as “The Accused” (1988) and “Black Rain” (1989). The company’s most successful project was “Fatal Attraction” (1987), starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. The thriller became a massive box office hit and earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Jaffe’s later productions included “Madeline” (1998), “I Dreamed of Africa” (2000), and “The Four Feathers” (2002), which starred Heath Ledger. He also served on the boards of several institutions, including The Wharton School and The Children’s Blood Foundation.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Melinda; children Bobby, Betsy, Alex, and Katie; and grandchildren Jordan, Leo, Avery, Sabrina, and Zoe. Donations in his honor may be made to the Margaret Herrick Library for the preservation of cinematic arts. A memorial service is being planned.
