Hank Moonjean (January 7, 1930 – October 7, 2012) was an American film producer, executive producer, and associate producer. His production credits included Dangerous Liaisons, Child's Play, and The Great Gatsby and several movies featuring Burt Reynolds.[1] Moonjean and film producer Norma Heyman jointly received an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination for the 1988 dramatic film, Dangerous Liaisons.[2]

Hank Moonjean
Born(1930-01-07)January 7, 1930
DiedOctober 7, 2012(2012-10-07) (aged 82)
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Film producer, executive producer, associate producer

Life and career

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Moonjean, who was Armenian American, was born in Evanston, Illinois.[1] He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC).[1] Soon after graduation from USC, he answered an employment ad for an interpreter at MGM Studios, and later became an uncredited assistant director for the 1954 film, Bhowani Junction, directed by George Cukor.[1][2] He worked for MGM for eight years.[1] He became a second director for numerous MGM films while at the studio: Blackboard Jungle, The Prodigal, It's Always Fair Weather, Love Me or Leave Me, The Tender Trap, I'll Cry Tomorrow, A Catered Affair, Kismet, Tea and Sympathy and Raintree County.[1]

Moonjean collaborated to produce or co-produce many films starring Burt Reynolds, including The End in 1978, Hooper in 1978, Smokey and the Bandit II in 1980, Paternity in 1981, Sharky's Machine in 1981, and Stroker Ace in 1983.[1] In 1975, Moonjean was announced as producer of The Bryna Company film Something Wicked This Way Comes, when it was set to be distributed through Paramount Pictures, but he eventually left the project.[3]

In 2008, Moonjean released his memoir, Bring In The Peacocks: Memoirs Of A Hollywood Producer.[2] He also donated an extensive collection of film advertisements to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[1]

Hank Moonjean died from pancreatic cancer at his Hollywood Hills residence on October 7, 2012, at the age of 82.[1][2] He was survived by his partner of 51 years, Bradley Bennett.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Credit Notes
1966 The Singing Nun Associate producer
Spinout Associate producer
1967 Welcome to Hard Times Associate producer
1968 The Secret Life of an American Wife Associate producer
1970 WUSA Associate producer
1972 Child's Play Associate producer
1974 The Great Gatsby Associate producer
1975 The Fortune Executive producer
1978 The End Executive producer
Hooper Producer
1980 Smokey and the Bandit II Producer
1981 The Incredible Shrinking Woman Producer
Paternity Producer
Sharky's Machine Producer
1983 Stroker Ace Producer
1988 Stealing Home Producer
Dangerous Liaisons Producer Final film as a producer
Assistant director
Year Film Role Notes
1955 Blackboard Jungle Assistant director
Uncredited
Love Me or Leave Me Assistant director
Uncredited
Kismet Assistant director
Uncredited
1956 Somebody Up There Likes Me Assistant director
Uncredited
High Society Assistant director
Uncredited
Lust for Life Second assistant director
Uncredited
The Teahouse of the August Moon Assistant director
Uncredited
1957 Raintree County Assistant director
Uncredited
Until They Sail Assistant director
Uncredited
Jailhouse Rock Assistant director
Uncredited
1958 Gigi Assistant director: France
Uncredited
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Assistant director
Uncredited
1959 The Diary of Anne Frank Assistant director: Netherlands
Uncredited
Never So Few Assistant director
Uncredited
1960 Tall Story Assistant director
BUtterfield 8 Assistant director
1961 Fanny Assistant director
Uncredited
1962 Sweet Bird of Youth Assistant director
1963 Drums of Africa Assistant director
The Prize Assistant director
1964 The Unsinkable Molly Brown Assistant director
1965 The Money Trap Assistant director
A Patch of Blue Assistant director
1967 Cool Hand Luke Assistant director
1968 The Odd Couple Assistant director
The Secret Life of an American Wife Assistant director
1969 The April Fools Assistant director
1970 Move Assistant director
WUSA Assistant director
1972 Child's Play Assistant director
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Notes
1970 Move Assistant to the producer
1972 Pocket Money Production representative
Production manager
Year Film Notes
1970 Move Unit production manager

Television

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Year Title Credit Notes
1966 The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones Associate producer Television film
1976 Beauty and the Beast Television film
As writer
Year Title
1959 The David Niven Show

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Producer Hank Moonjean dies". Variety. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "R.I.P. Hank Moonjean". Deadline Hollywood. 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  3. ^ Yumpu.com. "Boxoffice-August.16.1976". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
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