Reality TV producer Bruce Toms died last weekend at the age of 55.
Toms, who most recently was working on Bravo’s “Timber Creek Lodge,” died at his home in Pasadena, California on Dec. 25 due to natural causes, according to his reps at WME.
In addition to “Timber Creek Lodge,” Toms’ extensive list of credits include “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Secret Millionaire,” “Wife Swap,” “The Judds,” “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” “Nanny 911,” “Paradise Hotel” and “Workout.” He received an Emmy nomination in 2001 for his work on MTV’s long-running “Road Rules” alongside Mary-Ellis Bunim, Jonathan Murray and Rick Telles.
“Bruce produced lots of series for Bunim-Murray Productions including MTV’s (Emmy-nominated) Road Rules and Fox’s Love Cruise. His talent was enormous. But what made him truly special, was his kind and loving soul,” Murray said in a statement.
In 1985, Toms joined the entertainment industry non-profit Young Artists United, and two years later joined Evolution Media, where he and Douglas Ross produced the anti-nuke documentary “Change the World.”
“From the moment Bruce arrived in our lives, he infused YAU board meetings with wisdom, passion and integrity,” said YAU co-founder Daniel Sladek. “We were all in our early twenties and just beginning our careers, and his ability to transform ideas into action was matched by his electrifying charm. He definitely enhanced the lives of those who knew him.”
“Bruce Toms was a visionary whose creativity was only matched by his compassion and activism to make the world a better place,” said Ross.
Toms was repped by Mark Itkin and Justin Ongert of WME.
“Bruce was my friend and client for close to twenty years,” said Itkin. “He was a lovely, kind and loyal gentleman with a great sense of humor. As a producer he was an excellent storyteller and respected leader. He left us way too soon.”
Toms is survived by his mother Carol; siblings Blake and Lisa, Brian and Cindy, and Julie and Mark; nieces Katie Schmidt and Jenna Toms.
A memorial service is planned for Bethel-Trinity Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking the memorials be made to one of the following: Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Star of the North Humane Society and Alliance for Housing and Healing.