By Lillie Jaenchen
Movieguide® friend and Lionsgate co-president Jason Constantine has died after a battle with cancer. He was 55.
“With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry,” said Lionsgate in a statement. “His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises.”
“His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring. We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family,” the studio’s statement concluded.
Movieguide® founder Dr. Ted Baehr called Constantine a “very good friend” and a Christian.
“He met with me often and wanted to come to last years’ Gala but was too sick,” Dr. Baehr shared, noting that he was instrumental in getting Lionsgate to work with the Erwin Brothers and Kingdom Story.
“I will miss him a lot,” Dr. Baehr said.
Constantine had been with Lionsgate Motion Picture Group for the last 25 years. IndieWire reported that his career with the studio began as a “junior director of acquisitions at the company that preceded Lionsgate, Trimark Pictures.” He received his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.F.A. from Loyola Marymount University.
“He wrote and directed two short films: a rom-com called FOR WHOM THE WEDDING BELLS TOLL and a drama called ASHES that won a PGA award for Best Student Short Film,” IndieWire said.
Constantine was elevated to the studio’s co-president in 2023.
He worked closely with the Erwin Brothers on I CAN ONLY IMAGINE.
TheWrap revealed that, outside the office, Constantine was known for his “generous” spirit.
“Every year at Christmas, he created a model train village in his yard that captured the true holiday spirit and touched people far beyond his neighborhood community,” the outlet said.
He is survived by his wife Kristin and three sons Lucas, Xander and Nicholas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to give gifts in his memory consider donating to the brain research conducted by Constantine’s neurosurgeons, led by Dr. Michael Lim, or his UCLA neuro-oncology team, led by Dr. Tim Cloughesy and Dr. Robert Chong.
Please keep Constantine’s family and friends in your prays as they mourn his death.
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