Steven Flynn, Former Gramercy Pictures and Focus Features Marketing Executive, Dies at 70

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70-year-old Steven Flynn, previously a marketing executive for Gramercy Pictures, Focus Features, and several other companies, passed away on May 23 at Providence Saint John’s Health Center following a four-year struggle with renal cancer. The news was shared by his family.

Flynn played a significant role in promoting numerous iconic films, including Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), The Usual Suspects (1995), Dead Man Walking (1995), Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999), Traffic (2000), Gosford Park (2001), The Revenant (2015), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

In September 1993, Russell Schwartz, the president of Gramercy, brought Flynn on board as Senior Vice President of Marketing for their newly established label. This label was a collaborative project between PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Universal Pictures.

He continued working there after Gramercy joined forces with October Films in 1999 to form USA Films. Later, USA merged with Good Machine in 2001, leading to the establishment of Focus Features. During this period, he climbed the corporate ladder, reaching the position of executive vice president of marketing, a role he held until 2007.

Subsequently, he worked as a consulting strategist for Vivendi Entertainment, National Geographic, 42 West, 20th Century Fox, Focus, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In a statement, Schwartz praised Steven as the most optimistic and resourceful marketing executive he’s ever encountered, who was his first hire at Gramercy Pictures. During his tenure, Steven skillfully managed all marketing aspects of the company and even orchestrated both the front and back office operations during the early stages of Gramercy.

Among the companies most of us have been associated with, Gramercy was the one nearest to Camelot, and a significant aspect of that place was Steven’s presence. It’s not surprising that his email address is mrmovies@msn.com.

Born and bred in Fenton, Michigan, Steven Francis Flynn completed his high school education at Fenton High School in 1972. Later, he enrolled at the University of Michigan to pursue electrical engineering. Concurrently, he held a managerial position at a movie theater situated in Ann Arbor.

In 1977, he organized a live college football halftime show that included “Star Wars” during its initial cinema release, which caught the notice of Salah M. Hassanein, who was president of UA Theaters’ Eastern Division at the time. Impressed, Hassanein invited him to New York and offered him a job.

In 1990, Flynn climbed his way to Senior Vice President of Advertising at the UA division. That same year, he switched to Orion Pictures, where he served as Vice President for Field Publicity and Promotions/Exhibitor Relations. He played a significant role in promoting several films by this emerging company, including the Best Picture Academy Award winners “Dances With Wolves” (1990) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991).

In the year 1992, Flynn moved to Los Angeles to initiate Edge Marketing, subsequently transitioning to Gramercy. After four years, he became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Among the people who have carried on after him are his long-term companion, Timothy (who they’ve been together for 43 years); his siblings, Linda and Patricia; his niece, Shelby; and his nephews, Jeff and Sean.

A memorial service at a grave site and a tribute event are planned for June 20 in Flint, Michigan. Another celebration of life will take place later on in the Los Angeles region. Donations in his honor can be made to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

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2025-06-02 23:54