Oscar-winning Hollywood producer Jeremy Thomas has died at 77, bringing an end to a remarkable filmmaking career that stretched across more than five decades.

Thomas, the legendary independent producer behind films including The Last Emperor and Sexy Beast, died peacefully Friday, September 11, surrounded by family and loved ones at his country home in Oxfordshire, England, according to a statement from his family.

His death came just days before the scheduled premiere of his latest project, Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 14.

Thomas was widely regarded as one of the most influential independent producers in modern cinema, building a reputation for backing daring filmmakers and unconventional movies at a time when much of Hollywood was increasingly focused on safer blockbuster formulas.

Over the course of his career, Thomas produced more than 80 films and worked with celebrated directors from around the world.

He founded the Recorded Picture Company and later co-founded HanWay Films, becoming a major force in international independent filmmaking.

Thomas reached the height of his career with the 1987 historical drama The Last Emperor, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.

The sweeping film told the story of Puyi, the final emperor of China’s Qing dynasty, and starred Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole and Vivian Wu.

The movie became a massive critical success, winning all nine Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Picture. Thomas personally received the Oscar as the film’s producer.

Despite working with Hollywood stars and filmmakers across the globe, Thomas remained based in London throughout his career and became known for championing ambitious movies that major studios might otherwise have refused to make.

His work earned him the European Film Academy’s Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema award in 2006.

News of his death quickly sparked an outpouring of tributes from movie fans and industry figures.

One mourner described Thomas as an inspiration to producers for decades, saying his influence stretched across multiple generations of filmmaking.

Another praised him for producing some of the most experimental and entertaining movies of the past 50 years.

“Jeremy Thomas produced some of the most interesting, experimental, and entertaining films of the past fifty years,” one tribute read, pointing to movies including The Hit and The Last Emperor.

Others called him an “absolute icon of cinema” and “one of the greats.”

One fan summed up Thomas’ legacy by praising his willingness to make films that “challenge the norms, stir the pulse, excite the mind and soul.”

Thomas’ final film, Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, was made with acclaimed Japanese director Takashi Miike.

Its Toronto premiere will now take place just three days after the death of the man who spent his life bringing bold and often risky stories to the big screen.