Interstellar and Sleepless in Seattle producer Lynda Obst passes away at 74

Legendary producer Lynda Obst has passed away. The 74-year-old Hollywood producer reportedly died on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles.

Her son, 3 Arts Entertainment manager-producer Oly Obst, said that Obst was surrounded by her family and loved ones at the time of her death. He shared a statement via The Hollywood Reporter remembering his mother's legacy, saying:

"My mom was a trailblazer and a fierce advocate for women. Also, she was an amazing mother, sister and best friend. [My wife] Julie and I and incredibly grateful that she was my mom and that my daughters got to have her as a grandmother. We will miss her deeply."

Obst's brother, WME partner Rock Rosen, also paid tribute to her sister following the news of her passing. He said in a statement to Deadline that her sister was "a trailblazer for women in the industry" during a time when it was hard for women to get prominent roles. Rosen also remembers her sister as someone passionate about both her work and her family.

Lynda Obst has a long list of credits. She has put her mark on some of Hollywood's most beloved films like Interstellar, Sleepless in Seattle, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Flashdance, and Adventure in Babysitting. She was a producer in three upcoming films, Voyagers, K-Pop: Lost in America, and the spin-off How to Get Over a Guy in 10 Days, before she died.

Besides producing, Obst is a known wordsmith and has authored books, including Hello, He Lied & Other Tales from the Hollywood Trenches.

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Lynda Obst battled COPD before her death

While her family hasn't disclosed the cause of her death, Hollywood producer Lynda Obst revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in February 2024 that she suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She confessed that she was diagnosed with it six years ago. She explained her sickness to the outlet, saying:

"[It's] Spanish for 'I f*ckd up my lungs."

COPD is a common lung disease per WHO, and while its symptoms like cough, tiredness, and difficulty breathing can improve, the condition is not curable. Those with COPD run the risk of developing other health problems, like pneumonia, lung infections, lung cancer, and heart problems.

She talked about her smoking habits with the outlet. Lynda Obst revealed that she had been smoking since she was a teenager and that she doesn't discriminate on what to smoke. She said:

"I smoked everything God has ever grown on this green earth since I was 16. I smoked with joy and with pleasure, and was one of the most devoted p*theads around. Smoking with movie stars like Kate Hudson outside of trailers was one of the great things a producer could do. I just loved it."

However, when she was diagnosed with COPD, Lynda Obst said that she immediately quit smoking, but quitting weed for good took her years. After she decided to quit smoking for good, the film producer said that she uses her time to be active. She said that exercising is what gives her the "high" now.

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Per her family's announcement, Lynda Obst's funeral will be private, but a celebration of her life will be held in the coming months.