Jonathan D. Krane

Born 1952-05-01 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Died 2016-08-01

Jonathan D. Krane was an American screenwriter, film producer, talent manager, and studio head. He's most known in Hollywood for his decade and a half partnership with John Travolta, who he managed from 1987 until 2002. He has been a force for change in the film industry. A graduate of both St. John's College and Yale University School of Law, his background in classical studies and law paved the way for him to identify five fundamental principles as its foundation. Implementing theories based on these principles, he has been able to achieve a high level of success as an industry leader. His career began in 1980 through a partnership with director Blake Edwards. As co-founder of "Blake Edwards Entertainment" and an Executive Producer on all of Edwards' films, Krane learned the ins and outs of the business from a key position as the first producer/manager. From there, he easily transformed into a studio mogul. His studio, Management Company Entertainment Group (MCEG), was the first talent management/studio/production company, and the highest performing entertainment stock of 1988. At MCEG, Krane focused on talent, putting Kim Basinger, Bruce Willis and Bridget Fonda in their first films. Managing over 150 clients, he also produced successful studio and independent films keeping low budgets and high production values. Krane produced Face/Off (1997), Phenomenon (1996), Michael (1996), Jerry Maguire (1996), Primary Colors (1998) - chosen to open the '98 Cannes Film Festival, and The General's Daughter (1999). Overall, Krane has produced 46 movies, both studio and independent. Recognized throughout his career for his work, Krane has received numerous awards and honors including "The Hollywood Visionary Award" in 2000 from the Hollywood Film Festival, a nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards for Best First Feature for The Chocolate War (1988), an issue of Daily Variety dedicated to his 20-year career, The People's Choice Award for Look Who's Talking (1989), as well as The Golden Palm Award at the Palm Beach International Film Festival for The Point of Betrayal (1995), which he co-wrote and produced. Krane has hosted seminars across the country on how to break into the film industry, and lectured at both the AFI Conservatory and USC. For fourteen years, his educational home was the UCLA Extension School, where he taught Motion Picture Production and Talent Management. By 2003, Krane undertook a lifelong dream of writing a comprehensive textbook on the industry. "A Revolutionary Approach to the Art and Science of Moviemaking" outlines a system by which movies can be produced both efficiently and profitably. Through its vision, this book has formed the basis of the curriculum for an innovative film institute Krane founded in 2005, the Krane Academy. It has also helped form the guiding principles of Krane's newest venture, The Edge, which will produce, finance, and distribute 15 films a year.