LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jon Landau, a renowned producer who worked closely with acclaimed director James Cameron on several groundbreaking films, including "Titanic" and the "Avatar" series, has sadly died at the age of 63. The news of Landau's passing was announced by Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman, in a statement released on Saturday. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.

Recognized as a visionary in the film industry, Landau's exceptional talent and passion brought unforgettable stories to life on the big screen. Bergman expressed deep condolences, stating that Landau's remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry, and he will be greatly missed. Landau was not only an iconic and successful producer but also a person of great character and inspiration to all those around him.

Landau and Cameron's collaboration resulted in three Academy Award nominations and a Best Picture win for their 1997 film, "Titanic." Their partnership produced some of the highest-grossing films in history, including the masterpiece "Avatar" and its highly anticipated sequel, "Avatar: The Way of Water."

Landau's film career began in the 1980s, initially serving as a production manager and gradually climbing the ranks. He went on to co-produce films such as "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and "Dick Tracy" before taking on the role of producer for the monumental success that was "Titanic." The film, an expensive epic depicting the tragic 1912 maritime disaster, became the first movie to surpass $1 billion in global box-office earnings and received 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Accepting the award alongside Cameron, Landau humorously remarked, "I can't act and I can't compose, and I can't do visual effects, so I guess that's why I'm producing."

Their successful partnership continued, with Landau assuming a top executive position at Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment. In 2009, "Avatar," a groundbreaking sci-fi film showcased in theaters with revolutionary 3D technology, surpassed the box-office success of "Titanic" and holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing film of all time. Its highly anticipated sequel, "Avatar: The Way of Water," currently ranks third on the list.

Despite occasional delays, Landau remained committed to the success of the "Avatar" franchise. Speaking to The Associated Press in 2022, he defended the sequel's progress and Cameron's ambitious plans to film multiple sequels simultaneously, emphasizing that people turn to entertainment to escape the world in which we live.

Before his work on "Titanic" and "Avatar," Landau had a significant impact on the film industry as an executive vice president of feature movies at 20th Century Fox. At just 29 years old, he oversaw major hits such as "Home Alone" and its sequel, as well as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "True Lies," where his collaboration with Cameron first began.

Additionally, Landau played an influential role in bringing the manga adaptation "Alita: Battle Angel" to the big screen in 2019. Although Cameron supported the project, Landau took charge of its completion, collaborating closely with director Robert Rodriguez.

Born on July 23, 1960, in New York, Landau was the son of film producers Ely and Edie Landau. The family relocated to Los Angeles in the 1970s, and Landau went on to graduate from the University of Southern California's film school.

The film industry mourns the loss of an exceptional producer whose creative vision and dedication to storytelling reshaped cinema. Jon Landau's legacy is forever entrenched within the hearts and minds of movie enthusiasts worldwide.