Henry Jaglom, Autonomous Film Pioneer, Dies at 87
Los Angeles, CA – Henry Jaglom, a prolific independent filmmaker and actor known for his deeply personal and improvisational style, has died at the age of 87. His daughter, Sabrina Jaglom, confirmed the news to Deadline, stating he passed away peacefully at home on Monday, surrounded by family including his son, Simon, and Victoria foyt.
Jaglom enjoyed a career spanning over five decades in the film industry,working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names and even studying at the Actors Studio in New York under Lee Strasberg before relocating to Los Angeles. He began his film career as an editor on Dennis Hopper’s groundbreaking 1969 film, Easy Rider, which featured Jack Nicholson.
Throughout his career,Jaglom directed and starred in a diverse body of work,including Venice/Venice,Babyfever,Last Summer in the Hamptons,Going Shopping,Déjà Vu,and Eating. He sought to create a different cinematic experience than mainstream Hollywood, explaining in a 2012 interview with Slant magazine that he “felt there was a wall between me and them” growing up.
“I wanted to make films where people felt that the line was blurred,” Jaglom shared. “People have told me that they somehow feel less lonely by [watching] my films, because my films reveal that we’re all ‘bozos on this bus,’ if you know that expression. And, somehow, to share that fact, that we’re all going through these things, people feel they’re less in trouble.”
Following the announcement of his death, tributes have flooded social media. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “RIP #HenryJaglom. Thanks for giving us your cool improv style movies with real human feeling and depth!” Another remembered him as a friend, noting their close connection during the late 1970s and early 1980s while collaborating on projects with Orson Welles.
Sabrina Jaglom described her father to the Hollywood Reporter as “the most loving, fun, entertaining and unique father and the biggest cheerleader and champion anyone could be lucky enough to have.”
Henry Jaglom is survived by his two children, sabrina and Simon, and two grandchildren, Evelyn Reese and Jeremy Reese.He leaves behind a legacy of independent filmmaking that prioritized human connection and emotional honesty.
