### Hollywood Mourns the Loss of Pioneering Producer Lynda Obst

Hollywood is in mourning following the death of esteemed producer Lynda Obst, who passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 74. Her brother, Rick Rosen, a partner at WME, confirmed her death. Obst had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition she had openly discussed.

Lynda Obst's illustrious career boasts an array of blockbuster films, including "Flashdance," "The Fisher King," "Sleepless In Seattle," "One Fine Day," "Contact," "Hope Floats," "Interstellar," and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Her influence extended to television productions as well, where she served as an executive producer on TVLand's "Hot in Cleveland" and held a deal with Sony Pictures Television.

Rick Rosen expressed his admiration for his sister, noting, "She was a trailblazer for women in the industry at a time when it was very difficult for women to have prominent roles. She was passionate about her work but even more passionate about her family." Obst's son, Oly, who works as a manager at 3 Arts Entertainment, echoed these sentiments: "My mom was a trailblazer and a fierce advocate for women. She was an amazing mother, sister, and best friend."

Obst's journey began in suburban New York where she grew up. She initially made her mark as the editor and author of "The Rolling Stone History of the Sixties" and later as an editor at the New York Times Magazine. Her transition to Hollywood was facilitated by Peter Guber, under whose guidance she developed notable projects such as "Flashdance," "Clue," and "Contact."

In 1982, Obst joined The Geffen Company, where she was mentored by David Geffen. Here, she worked on projects like "Risky Business" and "After Hours." Later, she teamed up with producer Debra Hill, forming Hill/Obst Productions at Paramount Pictures. Their collaboration resulted in successful films like "Adventures in Babysitting" and Terry Gilliam's "The Fisher King."

Obst's solo producing career commenced in 1989 with a deal at Columbia Pictures, leading to the production of Nora Ephron's directing debut, "This Is My Life," and executive producing "Sleepless in Seattle." She subsequently moved to Fox, where she produced "The Siege," "Hope Floats," "One Fine Day," and "Someone Like You." In 1997, she executive produced "Contact" for Warner Bros, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Throughout the years, Obst returned to Paramount to produce hits such as "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Abandon." Her collaboration with Christopher Nolan on "Interstellar" in 2014 stands out as a significant achievement.

On the television front, Obst helmed NBC's two-part miniseries "The 60s" and executive produced "Hot in Cleveland." Her final film was the Warner Bros release "The Invention of Lying," showcasing her continued influence in the industry.

Lynda Obst leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work and a trail of successful films and television shows that have left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Her contributions as a producer and her advocacy for women in the industry will be remembered and celebrated.