Danny Lerner, Independent Filmmaker, Dies at 62

Producer and director Danny Lerner died March 6 in Culver City, Calif. He was 62.

Lerner, the brother of producer and Millennium Films founder Avi Lerner, worked on more than 100 films, including most recently “Olympus Has Fallen” and “The Expendables 3.”

Born in Haifa, Israel, Lerner began his career at a drive-in theater in Israel before he joined Nu World Productions in 1986 as an associate producer. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998 and soon thereafter founded production company Millennium Films with his brother, Danny Dimbort and Trevor Short.

After working on more than 70 films as a producer, Lerner tried his hand at directing with “Traitor’s Heart” in 1999. Lerner’s other directorial credits include “Finding Rin Tin Tin,” “Cool Dog” and “Direct Contact.”

Lerner served in the Israeli Army as a young man.

He is survived by his partner Amy Agzarian, his brother, sister Rivka Rosenblatt, mother Sara Lerner and children Neer and Shiri.

Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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