Paul Bronfman, William F. White and Pinewood Toronto Studios Founder, Dies at 67

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Paul Bronfman, a trailblazer who provided production tools, studios, and services for the Canadian and Hollywood movie and television sector, has passed away at the age of 67.

On Wednesday evening, Bronfman passed away in Toronto after a lengthy struggle against Multiple Sclerosis. His family described him as extraordinarily tenacious, obstinate, and committed in a statement they made to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Wednesday night saw the death of Bronfman in Toronto, following a prolonged fight with Multiple Sclerosis. According to a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter by his family, he was an incredibly strong-willed, determined man.

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Bronfman breathed his last on Wednesday night in Toronto, after a tough battle against Multiple Sclerosis. His family, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, called him a remarkably resilient, headstrong, and dedicated individual.

All three maintain the original meaning and convey the sentiment appropriately.

Today, the Canadian film and television industry is mourning the loss of Paul Bronfman, a trailblazing leader,” commented Neishaw Ali, CEO of Spin VFX. “Paul was not only a visionary who tirelessly supported filmmakers and invested in infrastructure, but also nurtured talent and gave generously to the arts, education, and aspiring storytellers. His business acumen was impressive, but his kindness and dedication to future generations will be felt for years to come. He will be sorely missed.

Bronfman, who met life with equal parts humor and courage, received his first multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 1995. Despite this challenge, he continued to excel in business and philanthropy for the subsequent 30 years. His endeavors encompassed managing film studios, supplying production rental equipment for Hollywood studios, streaming platforms, as well as local Canadian producers filming on location.

From 2019, when he sold Comweb Corp. and William F. White International, Bronfman had been a prominent provider of advanced production equipment, studio facilities, and services for the Canadian and American film industries, focusing on projects carried out in Canada.

Regularly visiting Los Angeles, Bronfman would make studio visits to generate business both locally and internationally, especially during film festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival. There, he was known for hosting an annual White Party.

Born in Montreal on the 28th of May, 1957, Bronfman demonstrated creativity and independence as a young man. Despite hailing from a prominent Canadian business dynasty and being related to Edward Bronfman Jr., a former high-ranking executive at Seagram and Warner Music, he forged his own path.

It’s no surprise that he ended up moving from Montreal to Toronto, given his habit of watching Montreal Canadiens hockey games in the Montreal Forum while sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey.

Notably, his family had ties to the Montreal Canadiens during the 1970s, as his father, Edward Bronfman (who passed away), and his uncle Peter Bronfman were the team’s owners. In a 2010 interview with the National Post, he shared that his father didn’t object to him supporting the team but preferred him not to sit behind the Canadiens’ bench. Instead, he provided seats for him on the opposite side, behind the visiting team’s bench.

Following his graduation from the University of Toronto, he opted out of joining the corporate sector. Instead, in the 1970s, he found himself drawn to the entertainment industry. His initial steps were as a roadie for the Canadian pop group April Wine, and later, he worked as an assistant production manager for U.K. bands Supertramp and the Stampeders.

In the 1980s, during Canada’s tax shelter years, Bronfman began his career in the movie business while working for Astral Bellevue Pathe, which was part of the Astral Media group, based in Toronto. Speaking to The Globe and Mail newspaper in 2009, he described himself as a “black sheep” in the Canadian film industry, explaining that people like him didn’t fit into traditional businesses or jobs and ended up working in this field, often by accident.

In 1988, Stephen J. Cannell, famed creator of shows like The A-Team, The Rockford Files, and 21 Jump Street (among other successful American TV series), proposed a film studio project in Vancouver to Astral Media co-founder Harold Greenberg. However, Greenberg declined the business proposition. Instead, he advised Cannell to partner with Bronfman and venture independently.

Back in 1988, I was instrumental in bringing North Shore Studios to life, a place that would later be synonymous with the hit series “The X Files.” This studio turned out to be the foundation for Bronfman’s comprehensive production hub for American filmmakers working in Canada. Together with Cannell, I established Comweb Corp., a holding company, to construct North Shore Studios right here in Vancouver.

The studio facility Bronfman sold to Lionsgate in 1997 served as the basis for subsequent endeavors such as Comweb Productions, an independent production label that enabled Bronfman to create homegrown films like the 1989 movie “Prom Night III: The Last Kiss”. In 1991, Comweb Productions collaborated on the creation of “The Quarrel”, a film that was broadcast on PBS in the U.S. and screened in cinemas nationwide across Canada.

In addition, in 1989, Comweb purchased William F. White International, a Canadian provider of production equipment to Hollywood. This enterprise had divisions for camera, lighting, grip, and specialized equipment rentals. Over time, the company managed and ran six production studios located in Vancouver and Toronto.

During his journey, William F. White began leasing filming equipment to studios producing within the U.S. Then, in 1992, Bronfman teamed up with the late Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (notable works include “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “The Deer Hunter”) to establish Sparks Camera & Lighting as a company that provides production equipment based in Budapest.

Bronfman’s business prosperity frequently fluctuated based on the Canadian dollar’s exchange rate with the U.S. dollar, benefiting U.S. manufacturers by offering currency savings. Additionally, he faced competition from various regions offering attractive tax incentives. His clientele consisted of significant studios such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Walt Disney, Universal Studios, MGM, and Lionsgate, along with tech giants like Amazon Prime and Apple. These companies sought his services while filming in Canada, particularly because they required unique content to attract or maintain subscribers for their newly launched streaming platforms.

Prior to U.S. states engaging in a tax-incentive competition, Bronfman established Comweb Film Capital in 1997 with the aim of guiding both local and international producers on accessing federal and provincial tax credits. In December 2019, Bronfman’s Comweb was acquired by Sunbelt Rentals, a subsidiary of Ashtead Group, which is known as William F. White International.

Apart from being a co-founder and significant stockholder, he was also involved with Filmport Studios – a movie production complex that debuted in Toronto’s portlands back in 2007. In 2009, the company underwent a rebranding and became known as Pinewood Toronto Studios, with him assuming the role of chairman. In 2023, he eventually relinquished his minority ownership to the Pinewood Group.

As a trailblazer in Canada’s entertainment industry, Bronfman was well-acquainted with numerous Canadian politicians across various government levels. In July 2010, serving as chairman of Pinewood Toronto Studios, Bronfman arranged a lunch for the late Queen Elizabeth and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. This event took place during their tour of Canada’s largest film and television studio complex, aiming to enhance its appeal among major Hollywood film producers.

Following the lunch, everyone sang “God Save the Queen” before settling back into their seats. At this point, Bronfman felt compelled to explain to the British Royal why he hadn’t stood for the playing of the British anthem. In a 2022 interview with THR, he reminisced: “As the Queen took her seat, I told her, ‘Your Majesty, my apologies for not standing due to my MS.’ She simply looked at me and, without blinking, responded, ‘I imagine that must be somewhat troublesome.’

Later, Norman Jewison – who had previously been associated with Pinewood Toronto Studios – complimented Bronfman’s business skills by humorously suggesting that he might have persuaded the British monarch to invest in Pinewood Shepperton’s North American expansion. “Not only did he charm the Queen,” Jewison said in 2010, “but I believe he convinced her to buy a portion of the studio.

As a gamer, I’d say: I’m incredibly proud of my friend Bronfman, knowing that people won’t remember his place but will long cherish what he stood for and the impact he made on those whose lives he touched. His philanthropic efforts through the Comweb Foundation have left an indelible mark – supporting the Toronto Film Festival, Atlantic Film Festival, Banff World Media Festival, Hot Docs, and Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre, just to name a few.

Apart from his other duties, he was a member on various boards for organizations such as the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the Banff Television Foundation, the Canadian Film Centre, the Canadian Media Production Association (focusing on independent film and television production), FilmOntario, and Ontario Creates.

As a head of the Canadian Jewish community, Bronfman also donated to numerous national and local charities, among them being the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies.

Bronfman departs this world with Alexandra (Nathan’s sister) and Matthew (Eve’s brother), Jonathan, Elizabeth (James, Ella, and Jack’s siblings), and Andrew and Talia (Jane’s siblings), along with his brothers David and Brian Bronfman.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Paulo, Chris, Neil, Ron, Dixie, and Carmenza for their exceptional care of our father. They said, “You provided my dad with his independence,” in a statement. Additionally, they asked that donations be made to the Paul Bronfman Family Foundation.

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2025-02-27 18:55