Los Angeles, California – Mark Damon, a prominent figure in the foreign sales world and film markets for many years, passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 91, as confirmed by his wife.
Damon’s career in the film industry began as an actor, where he achieved recognition for his performance in the 1960 film “House of Usher,” directed by Roger Corman. Following this success, Damon appeared in various Spaghetti Westerns and B-movies shot in Europe, solidifying his reputation as a versatile talent in the industry.
Originally known as Alan Harris from Chicago, Damon pursued an MBA at UCLA before venturing to Rome to establish himself as an actor. Upon returning to the United States, he founded Producers Sales Organization, a platform aimed at bringing independent American films to international distributors. Damon’s efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the American Film Market and the Independent Film & Television Alliance.
Reflecting on his business journey in a past interview, Damon shared insights into the challenges faced by independent producers in the industry and his innovative solutions to overcome them. He played a pivotal role in spearheading the licensing of “Never Say Never Again,” the only James Bond film ever licensed by an independent to international distributors.
Throughout his career, Damon led various firms as an international sales agent, contributing to the production of over 70 films. His credits include executive producing acclaimed works such as “The Neverending Story,” “Das Boot,” and “Monster,” the biopic that earned Charlize Theron an Oscar for Best Actress.
In his later years, Damon established Foresight Unlimited and continued to make significant contributions to the industry as an executive producer. His dedication to film markets, such as Cannes, remained unwavering, with Damon attending the event for an impressive 40 consecutive years.
Mark Damon is survived by his wife, Maggie Markov Damon, his son Jonathan, daughter Alexis Damon Ribaut, and son-in-law Mathieu Ribaut. His legacy in the film industry, marked by innovation and dedication, will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and industry professionals.