Richard Fowkes, a veteran entertainment executive who most recently ran business affairs for Legendary Entertainment, died Thursday in Los Angeles after a battle with brain cancer.

He was 66 years old.

Fowkes joined Legendary in 2007 as executive vice-president, business affairs. 

After receiving his law degree at the National Law Center of George Washington University, Fowkes began his career at the Dramatists Guild as a staff attorney, then joined Paramount’s New York-based legal department. After that, he spent two years as a production attorney at United Artists.

He returned to Paramount in 1977 as vice-president of East Coast legal affairs for the feature film department and Paramount Theater Productions, then moved to the Paramount studio in Hollywood in 1983 to become senior vice-president of motion picture business and legal affairs.

Fowkes was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on April 15, 1946. 

He is survived by his wife Floran Fowkes and his two daughters, Jillian and Sloane Fowkes. Jillian is vice-president, talent for the public relations firm ID.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Paramount Pictures.  Please R.S.V.P. to Jillian Fowkes at jillianfowkes@hotmail.com [5] so that access to the venue can be arranged for each guest.