Ash Christian, Filmmaker and Emmy-Winning Producer, Dead at 35

Emmy award-winning producer, actor and filmmaker, Ash Christian died in his sleep on Thursday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was only 35 years old. The cause of his death is still unknown.

Ash was a prolific filmmaker, with numerous projects in various stages of production, including many set to start filming this year. Under his own company, Cranium Entertainment, which he established in 2003, Christian developed and produced thought-provoking feature films. For both, specialized and mainstream audiences.

Christian’s Rise To Fame

Born on Jan. 16, 1985, in Paris, Texas, Christian’s passion for film and television began in his youth while involving himself in community theater. By the age of 14, he was already creating his own short films. Which inspired him to make the move to Los Angeles at the age of 16 to take a stab at acting. During a stint living in New York City, Ash involved himself in the Broadway world, which led him to producing the Tony Award winning musical, “Next to Normal.”

Christian first gained notoriety in the film world upon the release of his feature “Fat Girls”, in 2006. Which he wrote, directed and starred in at just 19 years old. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won an award for Outstanding Emerging Talent Award at L.A. Outfest.

In 2014, Christian won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special-Class Short-format Daytime Program for “mI Promise.” He shared the award with his producing partner, Anne Clements and executive producers, Lauralee Bell and Scott Martin.

Christian went on to act in several television shows including “The Good Fight,” “The Good Wife” and “Law and Order.” However, he found his true calling with production. Under his company, Cranium Entertainment, Christian developed and produced films such as “1985,” “Hurricane Bianca,” “Burn,” “Social Animals” and “Coyote Lake.”

“The world lost one of the good ones”

Upon learning the news of his death, Ash’s producing partner, Anne Clements described Ash as ‘a great friend, colleague and partner in crime.’ “He was a champion of indie film and filmmakers and his love of the process of putting movies together was infectious. My heart goes out to his family, especially his mother. The world lost one of the good ones.” she said

Christian and Clements had few new releases in the works, including “Chick Fight.” With Malin Akerman, Fortune Feimster, Alec Baldwin and Bella Thorne, coming out in the fall. As well as, “Paper Spiders,” featuring Lili Taylor, Max Casella and Peyton List.

Tributes and Condolences

Another one of Ash’s producing partners, Jordan Yale Levine said that working with the prolific director was ‘always fun.’ Jordan, who recently worked with Ash on, “After Everything” with Marissa Tomei, Gina Gershon and Jeremy Allen White took to Instagram to pay his tributes. “I will miss my good friend dearly, as I know so many others will as well. The world has lost a talented writer/director/producer, but most importantly, a great person who had so much more life to live.” Jordan and Ash had also worked together on “Burn” with Josh Hutcherson, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Suki Waterhouse.

Bianca Del Rio, who starred in “Hurricane Bianca“, took to Instagram to mourn her friend’s death, writing, “2020 is a rough year. @ashchristian you will be missed. ????. Thank you for always having faith in me. Rest well, my friend ????

Hannah Marks and Thora Birch were among Christian’s many peers who also took to social media to pay their respects. Thora Birch posted a tribute on Twitter. “One of my very few truly wonderful friends. He was genuinely hilarious and to loose him is just… I can’t even say,” she wrote.

Ash had several projects in the works, many set to begin filming this year, prior to his untimely death. Including ‘As Sick As They Made Us’, Mayim Bialik’s directorial debut. Starring, Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen and Simon Helberg, which was set to film this year.