Director Danny Leiner–whose work spanned features, TV and advertising, the latter via production house Independent Media–passed away last week (10/18) after a battle with cancer.
Known and admired for his sharp wit and comedic vision, his tireless work ethic, valuable mentorship, consummate professionalism and collaborative nature, Leiner had a body of work ranging from the boisterous comedy features Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Dude, Where’s My Car?, to indie ensemble comedy-drama The Great New Wonderful, to memorable episodes of classic series such as Arrested Development, The Sopranos, The Office, Felicity, Freaks and Geeks, Sports Night, Party of Five and Gilmore Girls, Leiner deftly conveyed his sense of humor, heart and creative voice, regardless of medium.
Along with his revered work in film and TV, which earned Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG, DGA and WGA awards, Leiner also made his mark in the advertising world, directing campaigns for the likes of Sprint, Ad Council, GameStop, Jack Link’s, Golfsmith and FreeCreditScore.com. In a statement, Leiner’s longtime collaborator, friend and Independent Media founder Susanne Preissler said, “Danny had spark. He was an imaginative wit. Principled, always the first to roll up his sleeves and jump right on in, searching endlessly for the comedy, the punchline, the laugh. Everything was an adventure and a privilege. But most of all, Danny had real heart. He loved life and the people around him dearly. I will miss him.”
Leiner is survived by his former spouse, Margaret Mendelson, mother Anne Leiner, sister Karen Leiner, and brother Ken Leiner.
A memorial in Los Angeles is being planned.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More