Veteran producer Robert Relyea, whose career spanned more than 40 years, died Tuesday at age 82. Born in Santa Monica, CA, Relyea started as an entry level crew member with MGM in 1955, eventually moving on to become President of Production for MGM/UA in 1997. He served as second unit or assistant director on films including Jailhouse Rock, Oklahoma!, The High Cost Of Living and The Alamo, but it was through his long association with actor Steve McQueen that he made his biggest mark on Hollywood history. Relyea served as Assistant Director on Never So Few and The Magnificent Seven, and as Associate Producer for The Great Escape. In 1966 Relyea joined McQueen’s Solar Productions as an executive producer, going on to produce McQueen’s classic Bullitt, as well as The Reivers, Le Mans and Adam At Six A.M. After leaving Solar, Relyea became an independent producer, with credits including Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Action Hero. He also served in executive positions at Lorimar and Paramount, and as head of the California Film Commission under former Governor Pete Wilson.
RELYEA, Robert E.
Born: 5/3/1930, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.
Died: 3/5/2013, U.S.A.
Robert E. Relyea's westerns - assistant director, producer:
Oklahoma - 1955 [assistant director]
Gun Glory - 1957 [assistant director]
The Alamo - 1960 [assistant director]
The Magnificent Seven - 1960 [assistant director]
Gun Glory - 1957 [assistant director]
The Hallelujah Trail - 1965 [producer]