Skip Brittenham, a renowned Hollywood lawyer who advised major stars including Harrison Ford and Eddie Murphy, died Thursday at the age of 83. Known as a trusted counselor in the entertainment industry, Brittenham’s career spanned decades, shaping key media and film deals.
Legal Career and Major Industry Contributions
Brittenham co-founded the law firm Ziffren Brittenham with Ken Ziffren in 1978, building a powerhouse that represented top names such as Bruce Willis and Drew Carey. Throughout his career, he played a crucial role in significant entertainment transactions, including the launch of Pixar, and important deals for David Ellison’s Skydance Media and Christopher Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment. He also managed the complex split of DreamWorks into separate companies, overseeing annual agreements valued at more than $1 billion.
Although Brittenham had recently retired from active leadership at Ziffren Brittenham, he maintained the title of partner emeritus, continuing to hold deep ties within the firm and industry.
Endorsements and Industry Impact
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures and a client of Brittenham, praised him for his wisdom and friendship. He said,
Singular is an overused word: it should be reserved for the exceedingly rare likes of Skip Brittenham. A dear friend and valued advisor to me for my entire career, Skip was the wisest man I knew and among the very best. I’m sure he is fishing a big river in heaven as we mourn the passing of a true original.
—Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures
Beyond legal work, Brittenham served on the boards of major corporations such as DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, and Loews Cineplex, as well as multiple charities including Conservation International. He and his wife were honored by the Alliance for Children’s Rights with the National Champion Award, and he received the Spirit of Liberty Award from People for the American Way.
Personal Background and Legacy
Brittenham graduated from UCLA School of Law in 1970 after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Outside his legal career, he was a passionate fly fisherman and competed as a member of the U.S. National Team. In 2012, he co-authored the graphic novel Anomaly, which he sought to develop into a film project.
He is survived by his wife, actress and activist Heather Thomas, along with their three daughters, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood’s most revered legal figures and a devoted family man.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Harrison Ford diagnosed with?
A. Ford’s representatives told USA TODAY about the diagnosis. Shingles happens when the varicella-zoster virus becomes active again. This virus also causes chickenpox, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Q. What’s the age gap between Harrison Ford and his wife?
A. When Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart crossed paths, he was 60 years old, and she was 38. Their strong connection overcame the 22-year age difference, challenging usual Hollywood norms. They first met at the 2002 Golden Globe Awards and felt an immediate attraction towards each other.
Q. How did Harrison Ford get facial scars?
A. Harrison Ford’s incident happened because he began driving before fastening his seatbelt. While searching for the belt, he accidentally hit a telephone pole.
Q. What is the age difference between Harrison Ford and his wife?
A. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have a 22-year age difference. Ford was 67 when he married Flockhart, who was 45, in 2010. Their wedding was a small event in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple first met in 2002 at the Golden Globes. Together, they are raising Flockhart’s adopted son, Liam.
