Hollywood in mourning: producer Steve Bing, who financed Le Pôle Express, kills himself by falling from the 27th floor

Steph Deschamps / September 8, 2020

Hollywood producer Steve Bing, who financed Tom Hanks’s film “the Polar Express,” died after falling from the 27th floor, US celebrity website TMZ reported on Monday.

The 55-year-old producer, father of one with actress Elizabeth Hurley, died after falling from the 27th floor of a luxury apartment building in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to TMZ, citing sources anonymous courts.

According to this celebrity site, Steve Bing suffered from depression and committed suicide. Confirmation from those around the producer, requested by AFP, could not be obtained immediately.

Los Angeles police, interviewed by AFP, have confirmed the death of a man in his 50s at the same location, without revealing his identity for legal reasons.

Producer of films like "Get Carter" by Sylvester Stallone or "Shine a light", a musical documentary by Martin Scorsese, Steve Bing also co-wrote a comedy, "Kangaroo Jack" in 2003.

He rose to fame after investing $ 80 million in the 2004 animated film "The Polar Express" which ultimately grossed over $ 300 million worldwide.

A real estate developer, he was also a philanthropist and friend of former President Bill Clinton to whom he had loaned his personal plane for a mission in North Korea in 2009, intended to free two American journalists.

Steve Bing leaves behind two children, Damian, son of American actress Elizabeth Hurley, and Kira, daughter of former tennis champion Lisa Bonder.