20/03/2013 - Veteran British producer dies at 65

Well-regarded British producer Tim Hampton, 65, is no more. He passed away on March 11. Hampton began his film career as a runner and then as studio executive and producer worked with a virtual who’s who of the film industry including Jean-Jacques Annaud, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Richard Donner, Hugh Hudson, Peter Medak, Terry Gilliam, George Lucas, Wolfgang Petersen, Roman Polanski, Nic Roeg, Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott.

From 1971 to 1975 Hampton worked as a production or location manager on movies such as The Most Dangerous Man in the World, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, The Ruling Class, Don’t Look Now and The Marseilles Contract. From 1977 to 1979 he was production supervisor in the US and France on Superman and Superman II and associate producer on Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

In 1979 he took the role of Managing Director at Twentieth Century Fox Productions, during which time he was closely involved with the production of Chariots of Fire, The Empire Strikes Back, Omen: Final Conflict and Quest for Fire. In 1983 Hampton produced Ridley Scott’s BAFTA and Oscar nominated Legend and in 1987 he collaborated with Roman Polanski on Frantic.

Monty Python’s Terry Jones said, “Tim is so fresh in my mind, so lively, and so concerned, and so capable.” Michael Palin added, “I have very fond memories of Tim. He kept a remarkably cool head amongst all the madness and he was damn good at his job too…all the Pythons liked and respected him.”

Roman Polanski said, “Desperately sad news. Tim’s warm personality, humour and just outstanding professionalism made him a joy to work alongside… we’ll all miss him.”