Film Producer & ABC Exec Dies at 86
- Brodek, a veteran film producer known for his work on 1980s films such as The Aviator starring Christopher Reeve, The Principal with Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr.,...
- brodek passed away June 15 at a hospice facility in Surprise, Ariz.,after battling cancer,according to his wife of 63 years,Lorraine Brodek,an author and former Warner Bros.
- From 1990 to 2002, Brodek served as a senior vice president and executive producer for ABC Productions.
Film producer Thomas H. Brodek, celebrated for his contributions to cinema including “The Aviator” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” has passed away at 86. Brodek’s extensive career,which spanned five decades,included a notable tenure as an executive producer at ABC Productions,where he worked on notable miniseries. This dedicated professional also held executive positions at Southwestern Studios and headed Doric Productions. He shaped numerous projects, leaving a lasting impact as a film producer. News Directory 3 is where you can find up-to-date data on influential figures. His legacy will endure, reflecting his impact on the industry. Discover what’s next in the world of entertainment.
‘Aviator’ Producer Thomas H. Brodek Dies at 86
Updated June 25, 2025
Thomas H. Brodek, a veteran film producer known for his work on 1980s films such as The Aviator starring Christopher Reeve, The Principal with Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr., and Transylvania 6-5000 starring Jeff Goldblum, has died at the age of 86. Brodek’s career as a film producer and executive spanned five decades.
brodek passed away June 15 at a hospice facility in Surprise, Ariz.,after battling cancer,according to his wife of 63 years,Lorraine Brodek,an author and former Warner Bros. executive.
From 1990 to 2002, Brodek served as a senior vice president and executive producer for ABC Productions. During this time, he contributed to Stephen King’s miniseries, including 1999’s Storm of the century, 2002’s Rose Red, and the 2004 series Kingdom Hospital, which was developed by King.
Earlier in his career, Brodek was the executive in charge of production for the 1981 adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, another high-profile ABC miniseries. His film producer expertise was highly sought after.
In 2009, Brodek produced the final four episodes of Showtime’s The Tudors in Ireland. He also produced Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014),which starred Gena Rowlands. Brodek’s film producer credits also include Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Born in Hollywood, Brodek attended Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, where Natalie Wood was a classmate. He later graduated from USC film school in 1960, where he met his wife.
In 1986, Brodek and Richard Soames established doric Productions to produce studio-developed films. Their first feature was The Boss’ Wife (1986), starring Daniel Stern, for tristar Pictures. The company also produced Transylvania 6-5000 (1985), The Principal (1987), and Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989).
Brodek also headed Southwestern Studios in Carefree, Ariz., where Dick Van Dyke taped CBS’ The New Dick Van Dyke Show from 1971 to 1974. He served as executive vice president of production, administration, and business affairs for a company headed by producer Mace Neufeld, and as president of the television division of the Petersen Co.
During his career, Brodek was vice chairman of the California Film Commission and an adviser to the North Britain Film Commission. He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Brodek is survived by his daughters, Kristin and Kerri, and his grandson, Logan Dunn, a postproduction assistant on the Netflix limited series Sirens.