Michael Lynne, Former New Line CEO and Co-Chairman, Dies at 77

Hollywood veteran partnered with Bob Shaye and executive produced the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy

Michael Lynne
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Michael Lynne, a Hollywood producer who helped transform New Line Cinema into a powerhouse and served as an executive producer on Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, has died. He was 77.

Lynne’s passing Sunday night was confirmed by a spokesperson at Unique Features in the office of his longtime partner Bob Shaye.

“He was understanding, incisive, warm, funny, and creative,” Shaye told TheWrap. “He was a man of integrity, talent, creativity, warmth and humanitarianism that was to my mind unparalleled among the acquaintances that I had, and I will value his friendship forever.”

Lynne’s passing came as somewhat of a surprise to Shaye, who said that Lynne was expected to be heading back from the hospital earlier last week, but “things went from not good to worse.”

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