Andy Vajna, Hungarian producer who worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone on some of their most popular films, has died at his home in Budapest. His death was reported by Hungary’s National Film Fund. He was 74.
Vajna was a producer on several major action films, including Stallone’s “Rambo” series and Schwarzenegger’s “Total Recall” and ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” He also served as a producer on Madonna’s adaptation of “Evita.”
More recently, Vajna had served as Hungary’s film commissioner since 2011, working to revitalize the country’s film industry. His work has been credited with a revival in the country over the last decade, peaking with Laszlo Nemes’ “Son of Saul” winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2016.
Schwarzenegger offered his condolences with a tweet honoring Vajna’s life.
“Andy Vajna was a dear friend and a revolutionary force in Hollywood. He proved that you don’t need studios to make huge movies like Terminator 2 or Total Recall,” he wrote. “He had a huge heart, and he was one of the most generous guys around. I’ll miss him. My thoughts are with his family.”
Stallone also extended his sympathy, writing on Instagram: “A very very sad day … Producer ANDY VANYA , the man that Made Rambo happened, died today… LOVED this man’s courage – a pioneer. Believed In making FIRST BLOOD when no one else did….This truly breaks my heart. Rip”