Herb Dorfman, former Orion Pictures executive and a home video industry veteran, died Feb. 25 of complications from Parkinson’s disease and dementia. He was 77.
Dorfman served as head of home entertainment for Orion Pictures from 1987 to late 1996. Orion was a prosperous independent studio in those days that turned out a steady stream of box office hits during Dorfman’s tenure, including “Silence of the Lambs,” “Mississippi Burning” and “Dances With Wolves.” Orion was part of a wave of sizable Hollywood independents that thrived along with the home video boom of the 1980s and ’90s.
Dorfman was known for his elaborate marketing campaigns and promotional stunts, such as his attention-getting move to send director Jennifer Lynch out for a promotional press tour for the controversial 1993 drama “Boxing Helena” when it was held up from theatrical release by litigation.
Dorfman left Orion just as the company was sold to MGM in 1996 following a bankruptcy proceeding.
Dorfman served as head of home entertainment for Orion Pictures from 1987 to late 1996. Orion was a prosperous independent studio in those days that turned out a steady stream of box office hits during Dorfman’s tenure, including “Silence of the Lambs,” “Mississippi Burning” and “Dances With Wolves.” Orion was part of a wave of sizable Hollywood independents that thrived along with the home video boom of the 1980s and ’90s.
Dorfman was known for his elaborate marketing campaigns and promotional stunts, such as his attention-getting move to send director Jennifer Lynch out for a promotional press tour for the controversial 1993 drama “Boxing Helena” when it was held up from theatrical release by litigation.
Dorfman left Orion just as the company was sold to MGM in 1996 following a bankruptcy proceeding.
- 2/28/2020
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
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