Steven Rothenberg
Steven Rothenberg (September 12, 1958 - July 17, 2009) was an American film studio executive. Rothenberg headed the theatrical distribution operations at Lions Gate Entertainment at the film studio's President of domestic releasing.[1] He oversaw the release of more than 350 movies during his career,[1] which spanned 28 years at several film studios.[2]
Rothenberg was born and raised in New York City.[1] He received his bachelor's degree with honors from Stanford University.[1]
Rothenberg began his career in the film industry when he was hired by filmmaker and fellow Stanford alumnus Roger Corman.[1][2] Rothenberg worked with Corman in film distribution.[1] Rothenberg later worked in distribution at Savoy Entertainment and The Samuel Goldwyn Company as well.[1]
Rothenberg was president of domestic film distribution at Artisan Entertainment prior to joining Lionsgate.[1] In particular, Rothenberg created and oversaw the distribution strategy for The Blair Witch Project,[2] which went on to become the highest grossing indie film in history at the time.[2] He also helmed the domestic distribution of Requiem for a Dream, Buena Vista Social Club and many other films while at Artisan.[1]
Rothenberg headed the theatrical distribution operations of Lionsgate, or its predecessor companies, for more than 10 years.[1] It was Rothenberg who coordinated and oversaw the domestic film releases of Tyler Perry and Saw film franchises, as well as Fahrenheit 9/11, 3:10 to Yuma and Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[1] The combined boxoffice gross of the films in which Rothenberg facilitated the releases totaled more than $2 billion for Lions Gate.[2]
He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Steven Rothenberg died of stomach cancer in Burbank, California, on July 17, 2009, at the age of 50.[1] He was survived by his wife, Frances, and their children, Alexandra, Ted and Emma, all of Glendale, California, where Rothenberg also resided.[2] Rothenberg was also survived by his mother, Ina Rothenberg, and sister, Stacy Moscoe.[1][2]
Rothenberg's memorial service and burial was held at the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.[2]
