Andrew Karpen, a widely respected film executive and founder of Bleecker Street Films, died on Monday. He was 59.
Karpen, an easygoing fixture of the indie film scene, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2024. Before launching Bleecker Street in 2014, Karpen previously served as co-CEO of Focus Features for more than a decade.
“Our industry has lost a giant” said Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street’s President and Karpen’s longtime friend, in a statement. “Andrew taught us all so much, foremost of which is the value of kindness, honesty, and family above all else. His leadership and courage will inspire all of us at Bleecker Street for the rest of our lives.”
At Bleecker Street, Karpen oversaw the release of films including “Trumbo” and “Captain Fantastic,” which received Oscar nominations for the performances of Bryan Cranston and Viggo Mortensen. The company also released arthouse box office hits as the Helen Mirren thriller “Eye in the Sky,” the Steven Soderbergh heist comedy “Logan Lucky,” and the Blythe Danner romantic drama “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” Several of Bleecker’s films grappled with topical subjects, such as the school shooting drama, “Mass.”
Recent Bleecker releases include “Rumours” featuring an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander; as well as “Hard Truths,” the BAFTA, Gotham and Spirit Award-nominated film from Mike Leigh that starred Marianne Jean-Baptiste. This month, the company released “The Wedding Banquet,” from director Andrew Ahn which stars Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Joan Chen and Yuh-jung Youn.
Karpen was a sports lover who had a deep allegiance to the New York Giants, as well as a fan of country music. He was also a family man, who was more interested in recounting the accomplishments of his children than talking about the latest film business drama.
Karpen was recognized by Variety in October last year in celebration of Bleecker Street’s 10th anniversary. He said he was “not just honored to be here. I’m blessed to be here this year.” Getting the news of his diagnosis was “devastating,” he said, but he thanked his doctors, his wife Pam and their children for helping him through those difficult months. “As you can see by my being here, nothing is impossible.”
“Our company is about taking those stories and trying to propel them to a grand cultural stage,” Karpen continued at the event. “Because when we share our stories with each other, we come together.”
Karpen started his industry career at Miramax Films, where he served as senior VP of finance and operations, then had executive posts at Sunbow Entertainment, Independent Pictures and Oxygen Media.
In addition to his wife Pam, Karpen is survived by his sons Josh and Zack and his daughter Sloan, as well as Josh’s wife Kristen, who is expecting the couple’s first child.
The family would appreciate donations in Karpen’s name be made to the Lenox Hill Brain Tumor Center or Fairfield County Hospice House.
More to come…
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