Bob Laemmle, Longtime Head of the Laemmle Art House Theater Chain, Dies at 89

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Robert Laemmle, the longtime leader of the independent movie theater chain in Los Angeles that carries his family’s name, which is associated with the creator of Universal Pictures, passed away on Thursday. He was 89 years old.

I sadly share that I recently lost my father at a healthcare facility in Santa Monica. He had been receiving care there following a fall at our nearby residence on December 23rd. This heartbreaking news was conveyed to me by the Los Angeles Times, after it was announced by my brother Greg Laemmle, who currently leads the independent cinema chain that our father founded and nurtured.

Bob Laemmle, who was born on September 5, 1935, in Paris, began working for the family business in 1961 and eventually oversaw the theater operations, succeeding his father, Max Laemmle. He stepped down from active service in 2004, according to the Times, but continued to visit the office until the onset of the 2020 pandemic.

In 1938, brothers Kurt and Max Laemmle, who were originally from Germany, started a cinema chain with two theaters in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. This move came after their uncle, Carl Laemmle, had merged several companies back in 1912 to establish Universal as a studio president.

Greg Laemmle shared with the Times that what we’re dealing with now is something his grandfather [Kurt] initially began, and since then, we’ve continued and expanded upon it. He explained that while it’s a business and a family endeavor, it’s equally important for us to serve and uplift our community,” says Greg Laemmle.

The 2022 documentary titled “Only in Theaters” focused on a chain of movie theaters that can be found in various places such as Glendale, Santa Monica, Newhall, North Hollywood, Encino, Claremont, and West Los Angeles (specifically, The Royal).

It additionally functions as a residence for Academy Award eligibility screenings (for independent films, short movies, and documentaries), and it welcomes unique one-night screenings, events, and premieres.

Back in 2019, I said goodbye to my beloved Music Hall Theatre in Beverly Hills, a place that had been my home for 82 years in the world of entertainment. Fast forward to 2022, and it was time to bid farewell to another cherished venue, my Pasadena outpost. These closures mark the end of an era for me as a gamer immersed in the realm of live performances.

Living on are his spouse Michelle (third one), along with children Gregory, Jessica, Yvonne, two more named Michelle, David, Carrie, Mitchell, Maitland, and Robert; also, thirteen grandchildren.

Carla Laemmle, who was related to Carl Laemmle and had a background in dancing and acting – she portrayed the lead ballerina in Universal’s 1925 silent movie version of The Phantom of the Opera – passed away in 2014 at the age of 104.

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2025-01-10 05:24