Remembering Andrew Karpen: A Visionary in Independent Film
Andrew Karpen, the esteemed chief executive and founder of Bleecker Street Media, passed away on Monday at the age of 59 due to glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
Bleecker Street Media: A Legacy in Cinema
Founded in 2014 in New York City with support from Manoj Bhargava, the creator of 5-hour Energy, Bleecker Street Media quickly made its mark on the independent film circuit. In its early years, the company brought notable films to audiences, including “Trumbo” (2015), featuring Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren, and “Captain Fantastic” (2016) starring Viggo Mortensen.
To date, Bleecker Street has successfully released over 75 films, with highlights including the 2017 comedy “Logan Lucky” directed by Steven Soderbergh and the 2024 Oscar-nominated film “Golda.” Their recent projects include “Hard Truths,” a comedy-drama, and “The Wedding Banquet,” a remake of Ang Lee’s classic romantic comedy from 1993, which features a talented cast including Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, and Kelly Marie Tran.
A Great Loss to the Film Industry
In a heartfelt statement, Kent Sanderson, president of Bleecker Street and a long-time friend of Karpen, remarked, “Our industry has lost a giant. Andrew taught us all so much, foremost of which is the value of kindness, honesty, and family above all else. His leadership and courage will inspire all of us at Bleecker Street for the rest of our lives, and we are dedicated to continuing his passion for and legacy of championing cinema.”
Career Trajectory
Before establishing Bleecker Street, Karpen’s career began at Miramax, before transitioning to Oxygen Media as the senior vice president of finance and planning. He spent over a decade at Focus Features, the specialty film division of NBCUniversal, where he rose from chief operating officer to president and eventually co-chief executive.
In 2013, Karpen departed from Focus Features after the company’s decision to relocate its headquarters to California. Although Universal Pictures asked him to stay, he opted to remain in New York City with his family.
Family and Surviving Legacy
Andrew Karpen is survived by his wife, Pam, his sons Josh and Zack, his daughter Sloan, and his daughter-in-law Kristen, who is expecting their first child.