Jeremy Jack Thomas, the British film producer renowned for his groundbreaking work on "The Last Emperor," died on September 11, 2026, at the age of 77 following a long illness. Over a career spanning five decades, Thomas produced more than 60 films and became known for his willingness to embrace challenging and provocative subject matter.

Born in 1949 in Ealing, west London, Thomas was immersed in filmmaking from an early age. His father, Ralph Thomas, directed a series of successful comedies, while his uncle Gerald Thomas helmed all 30 films in the "Carry On" series. Though he initially aspired to be a director, Thomas found his true calling in production, beginning with editing work on films such as Ken Loach’s "Family Life" (1971) and the reggae classic "The Harder They Come" (1972). His breakthrough as a producer came with "Mad Dog Morgan" (1976), a gritty western starring Dennis Hopper.

Thomas's most celebrated achievement was producing Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 epic "The Last Emperor," based on the autobiography of Puyi, China’s last emperor. The film required a $25 million budget, which Thomas raised independently, and involved complex negotiations with the Chinese Communist Party. The production secured unprecedented access to shoot inside the Forbidden City, the first Western team to do so since 1949, coinciding with Queen Elizabeth II’s 1986 state visit to Beijing. The film’s scale included 19,000 extras, many from the People’s Liberation Army, and the shoot lasted four years. "The Last Emperor" was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won all, including Best Picture—an accolade Thomas accepted with humility, stating it affirmed the potential of independent cinema to be both epic and popular.

Throughout his career, Thomas gravitated toward films that pushed boundaries and explored taboo themes. His credits include Nagisa Oshima’s "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983), David Cronenberg’s adaptation of "Naked Lunch" (1991), and JG Ballard’s controversial "Crash" (1996), which attracted tabloid condemnation for its depiction of unconventional sexuality. His collaborations with director Nicolas Roeg included the polarizing "Bad Timing" (1980), rejected by its own studio due to its dark subject matter.

Thomas also supported emerging talent, giving Jonathan Glazer his directorial debut with "Sexy Beast" (2000) and working repeatedly with Bertolucci on films such as "The Dreamers" (2003). He produced a range of films that questioned social norms and cultural issues, from Terry Gilliam’s "Tideland" (2005) to Richard Linklater’s "Fast Food Nation" (2006).

Known among peers for his entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to challenge convention, Thomas was described by collaborators as a “pirate king” and a “free radical” who preferred to test limits rather than impose restraint on creative teams. His intuitive approach earned him admiration from actors and directors alike, including Tilda Swinton, Stephen Frears, and Ben Wheatley.

Thomas chaired the British Film Institute from 1992 to 1997, playing a key role in establishing the BFI IMAX cinema in London. Despite his numerous commercial and critical successes, he prioritized personal passion over market considerations, producing films because of his interest in the people and stories involved rather than for box-office appeal.

He is survived by his daughter Jessica and two sons, Jack and Joshua, the latter having predeceased him in 2023. Thomas remained active in film production until the end of his life, with two of his final projects, "Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo" and Werner Herzog’s "Bucking Fastard," premiering at festivals in September 2026 as he battled illness. His career leaves a legacy of daring, diverse cinema, marked by a consistent commitment to innovation and artistic independence.