In Memoriam: Richard Fowkes

Last week we lost a member of the entertainment industry who will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Richard Fowkes was a kind, lovely man who lost his battle with brain cancer on August 16, 2012 at the age of 66. He died peacefully and comfortably at home with his family and dogs by his side. His daughter Jillian writes, “In true Richard form, he had a big smile on his face. We cannot thank all of you enough for your love and support over this past year. Dad was one in a million and will be greatly missed -- there will never be another one like him. He loved all of you dearly.”

Richard 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, before moving to the Paramount studio in Hollywood in 1983 to become senior vice-president of motion picture business and legal affairs. He was most recently the head of business affairs for Legendary Entertainment.

Those of us in the musical theatre community also knew Richard as a talented musician and composer with a passion for a beautiful melody. David Kirkpatrick, former President of Paramount Pictures, has recounted a lovely story about Richard's part in turning Billy Wilder's classic film Sunset Blvd into a stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber. It is appropriately entitled Richard Fowkes, Billy Wilder and Sunset Blvd, The Musical. Click Here to read the article.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 28th at Paramount Pictures (5555 Melrose Avenue, enter at the Main Gate-off Windsor). If you wish to attend, please make sure you RSVP ahead of time and remember to bring photo ID for security check-in. Arrivals will start at 6:30 pm with the Memorial starting promptly at 7:00 pm and should run approximately 1 hour. Allow time for check-in and security. Please R.S.V.P. to Jillian Fowkes at jillianfowkes@hotmail.com so that access to the venue can be arranged for each guest. 

For those who might wish to honor Richard with a donation in his memory, the family suggests that donations be made to the Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center at Cedars-Sinai. Gifts may be made online: http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/giving_neurosurgery 

Under “designation drop down,” please choose: Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center 

Donations by mail: 
Cedars-Sinai 
8700 Beverly Blvd., Room 2416 
Attn: KC Miller 
Los Angeles, CA 90048 
Checks payable to Cedars-Sinai, please indicate “In memory of Richard Owen Fowkes” 
Donations by phone: (323) 866-7763 

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