James G. Robinson, the producer and co-founder of Morgan Creek Entertainment, has died at the age of 90. Known for his work on films including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and True Romance, Robinson passed away on February 15. His career spanned from automotive businesses to Hollywood production.
James G. Robinson, who co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment in 1988 with Joe Roth, died on February 15 at age 90, according to a family obituary. Born in Baltimore, Robinson began his career in successful automotive businesses before providing bridge financing to Hollywood films and transitioning into producing.
Morgan Creek, under Robinson's involvement, produced notable films such as the Ace Ventura series, Young Guns, Dead Ringers, Pacific Heights, The Last of the Mohicans, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He also had producing credits on True Romance and Major League. More recently, Robinson contributed to the 2023 film The Exorcist: Believer and the Dead Ringers television series.
During the 2006 production of Morgan Creek's Georgia Rule, Robinson publicly clashed with actress Lindsay Lohan. He sent her a letter describing her as "discourteous, irresponsible and unprofessional," calling her a "spoiled child" who had "endangered the quality of this picture." Director Garry Marshall later commented to Variety, "We needed that letter to get her back to work."
Reflecting on his work in a 1997 Variety interview, Robinson said, "When you’re working at a studio, where it’s nice and comfortable, there’s no pain and in my mind no short gain. Bottom line is that the greatest feeling in the world is when you make a movie that you know is good and plays unusually well. That’s an emotional home run."
Robinson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Lois Robinson; sons Michael Joseph Robinson (Dawn), James Patrick Robinson, Matthew Brian Robinson (Kim), David Christopher Robinson (Susan), and Thomas Vernon West; and daughter Elizabeth Robinson deVilliers (David). His son David Robinson serves as president of Morgan Creek Entertainment Group.