Mitchell Goldman, the former president of marketing and distribution at New Line Cinema who oversaw the launch of the studio’s distribution wing, died this past Monday at the age of 74, according to his son-in-law, Jim Margolis.
“He was a wonderful man who did so much for so many. He gave so many people their starts in the movie business,” Margolis said in a statement to TheWrap.
A Philadelphia native and a graduate of Long Island University, Goldman got his start as a booker for the William Goldman Theatre Company. In 1978, he began his career in film distribution at Embassy Pictures, starting with east coast distribution in New York City before becoming vice president of the studio’s division four years later.
In 1986, Mitchell Goldman joined New Line Cinema as the studio was breaking through in Hollywood thanks to the success of the horror classic “Nightmare on Elm Street.” Goldman oversaw the creation of the studio’s distribution wing, aiming to release up to 12 films per year with at least five being in-house productions. Goldman would serve as marketing and distribution head for New Line for 16 years, overseeing the release of several ’90s pop culture classics like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Mask,” “Rush Hour” and “Boogie Nights.”
In the 2000s, Goldman also expanded his business ventures to his beloved Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, opening a trio of sandwich shops called South Street in Los Angeles that operated until 2015.
“A die-hard lover of all things Philadelphia, Mitch was unhappy with the quality of cheesesteaks available in Los Angeles,” said Margolis of the business, which expanded to shops in Burbank and Hollywood.
Meanwhile, after leaving New Line, Goldman served as a consultant for studios like Miramax and for films like Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning film “Monster.”
He was an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since his induction in 1986 and was also actively involved with the Motion Picture home.
Goldman is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy, as well as his daughter, Leslie, his son, Benjamin and grandchildren Leo and Lucy.
