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I met Steve Rothenberg just the once; I had just won first prize award at a short film festival in LA and he kindly asked to see it. During our brief conversation he struck me as a nice, sincere man, not only interested in the film but as to who I was and what I wanted to do (he was particularly taken that I had traveled over from Ireland with this short film). He asked to see it and a short while later, I received a very complimentary handwritten note, also encouraging me to keep him abreast of any projects I was developing. This was before Lionsgate assumed Artisan but the project he liked was lost in the shakeup.

Like I said, he struck me as a nice, sincere man and I regret his passing.

I knew Steve for more than 35 years. There was nver a more gentle, thougtful and loving friend, father and husband. We went to summer camp back in NY as kids. We worked together at New World, and have been good friends ever since. I am devasted by his passing, and send my love and prayers to his loving family. I am a better person because of Steve.

This is truly the saddest news in a long time. I was privileged to work with Steve some twenty years ago at the Samuel Goldwyn Company and to have remained friends with him since. Smart, courtly, kind, gentle, insightful, sensitive, generous - all these words begin to describe Steve Rothenberg, but they do not begin to do him justice. I saw Steve too rarely since i moved back east in 2001, but when I did I was reminded of the things that made Steve so extraordinary in a business where often little time is spent on things that do not relate to business or ambition. Steve always had time to talk about the personal things that make our lives meaningful and took keen interest in others and their personal well-being. He rarely talked about himself or his achievements, though they were many. His interest in others was totally sincere and his delight in others radiated from that winning smile he always had. I never saw a sly or crafty side to Steve; he was so effective in his career because he was real and talented, smart and energetic, warm and empathetic. He had every reason to be proud, but he kept his ego in the back seat. We would all do will to be more like Steve and we will all miss him. My deep sympathies to his family. They have lost a great man, but they will always be blessed to have had him in their lives.

A cool thing about Steve that should be mentioned: in a business where this isn't always true, the guy loved movies. Old movies, new movies, classic movies, obscure movies -- he could talk about them all with knowledge, passion and enormous enthusiasm. And don't get him started about music, where he was just as smart and lively and enthusiastic.

I saw him twice back in April, the first time at dinner before a Leonard Cohen concert, when he seemed energetic and high-spirited as he told a long, wonderful story about hiring Bob Dylan's high school girlfriend at some company long ago. A few days later, I sat next to him at a Springsteen concert, and he was much weaker and shakier -- a nice guy who was in a hell of a fight, but wasn't going to let cancer keep him from a Bruce show.

He should have had time for lots more Bruce shows, and lots more movies.

Thanks Dave for posting this--it is good to hear about the accomplishments and person deserving credit & lauds, esp. in an industry where opening weekend is often the sole focus.

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