James G. Robinson, the former auto executive who co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment and left a lasting mark on Hollywood with films ranging from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to Robin Hood: Men in Tightshas died at the age of 90.
His death on February 15 was confirmed by a family obituary.
Robinson’s path to Hollywood was unlikely. Born in Baltimore, he built his career in the automotive industry before switching to film bridging and eventually producing full-time.
In 1988, he co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment with veteran Hollywood executive Joe Roth, and the company went on to become a truly prolific force in American film.
Its credits include Young Guns, Dead Ringers, Pacific Heights, The Last of the Mohicansand the hugely successful one Ace Ventura series among many others.
More recently, Robinson had producing credits on the 2023 film The Exorcist: Believer and that Dead Ringers TV series.
He spoke to Black in 1997 about what drove him.
“When you’re working on a studio where it’s nice and comfortable, there’s no pain and, in my mind, no short gain,” he said.
“The bottom line is that the greatest feeling in the world is when you make a movie that you know is good and plays exceptionally well. It’s an emotional home.”
Robinson is perhaps equally remembered in certain circles for a letter he sent to Lindsay Lohan during the production of the 2006 film Morgan Creek Georgia rulewhere he called her “rude, irresponsible and unprofessional” and described her as a “spoiled child” who had “jeopardized the quality of this picture.”
The letter became infamous in the industry. Director Garry Marshall later recounted Black simply: “We needed that letter to get her back to work.”
Robinson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Lois Robinson; sons Michael, James, Matthew, David and Thomas; and daughter Elizabeth Robinson deVilliers.
His son David Robinson currently serves as president of Morgan Creek Entertainment Group.
