Jonathan Demme’s Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 28: Paul Lazar, Annie-B Parson, Jonathan Demme and Joanne Howard attends the PS122’s Spring Gala 2016 at Jing Fong Restaurant on April 28, 2016 in New York City. (Getty Images)

Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme, famous for directing The Silence of the Lambs, has died at age 73. Demme passed away early Wednesday morning in his Manhattan apartment, surrounded by his wife and three children.

Read on to learn more about Jonathan Demme’s family.

1. His Wife, Joanne Howard, Is an Accomplished Artist

Jonathan Demme Wife, Joanne Howard Artist, Joanne Howard and Jonathan Demme, Jonathan Demme Family, Jonathan Demme Family, Jonathan Demme Kid,

Director Jonathan Demme and wife Joanna Howard attend the premiere of “The Dreamers” on February 3, 2004 in New York City. (Getty)

Demme’s wife, Joanne Howard, works as an artist. In a 1997 interview with the New York Times, Demme briefly discussed his wife, saying she “paints nature in a personal way”, and that through her work, he learned to “appreciate academic art.”

Howard worked with her husband on a few of his projects. She is credited as a production associate on her husband’s 2006 documentary film Neil Young: Heart of Gold and was thanked by producers for her involvement in Rachel Getting Married.

2. Demme Has Three Children

Jonathan Demme Wife, Joanne Howard Artist, Joanne Howard and Jonathan Demme, Jonathan Demme Family, Jonathan Demme Family, Jonathan Demme Kid,

Director Jonathan Demme (L) and his daughter Josephine Demme arrive at the “Rachel Getting Married” premiere held at the Roy Thomson Hall on September 6, 2008 in Toronto, Canada. (Getty)

The director is survived by his three children: Romona (29), Brooklyn (26) and Jos (21).

Both Ramona and Brooklyn attended Oberlin College, where Demme was a long-time supporter of the school’s film studies program.

According to her LinkedIn page, Ramona graduated from Oberlin with a BA in English in 2010 and has worked as an Editorial Assistant at Penguin Group USA since 2012.

Josephine played an extra in Demme’s film, Rachel Getting Married, in 2008.

Director Jonathan Demme Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme has died at age 73.

Click here to read more

3. His Nephew Died in 2002 While Playing in a Charity Basketball Game

Jonathan Demme Wife, Joanne Howard Artist, Joanne Howard and Jonathan Demme, Jonathan Demme Family

US director Ted Demme arrives at the premiere of his new film “Blow” in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, 29 March 2001. In the movie, Johnny Depp plays George Jung, the first American to become the conduit to the Colombian Cocaine Cartel. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Getty)

Demme’s nephew, Ted Demme, followed in his uncle’s footsteps by becoming a film director and television producer.

While playing in a celebrity basketball game on January 13, 2002, Ted collapsed and died of a heart attack. According to BBC News, coroner’s officials later determined that he had cocaine in his system at the time. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack with coronary artery disease as a contributing actor.

An article released by the LA Times later revealed that friends of Demme were “aware he occasionally used the drug but that they did not know his heart condition was so delicate.” The outlet reports the medical examiner as saying the cocaine could have played a role in the heart attack that led to Demme’s death.

Demme rose to prominence for his work producing Yo! MTV Raps in 1998. He worked as a director and producer on a number of notable films and television series, including Blow (2001), Life (1999) and Beautiful Girls (1996).

At the time of his death, Ted was married to photographer and creative director Amanda Scheer, with whom he had two children.

4. Joanne Howard Is Demme’s Second Wife

Before Howard, Demme was married to director Evelyn Purcell.

In 2013, Purcell directed the film Heatstroke starring Game of Throne’s actor Maisie Williams. In 2014, she was interviewed by Film International and was asked how she got her start as a director and working with producer/director Roger Corman. Purcell said:

Let’s see, this was mid to late seventies, and I was married to Jonathan Demme at the time. We’d met in the publicity department at Heatstroke United Artists in New York. And Jonathan met Roger, who was giving unknown talent a chance to produce and direct. Roger asked us if we wanted to make a woman’s prison movie, which was Caged Heat. And then we did two more films with Roger – I produced one and did second unit direction on both.

Purcell’s other directing credits include Borderline, Woman Undone, and American Playhouse.

5. Demme’s Family Will Hold a Private Funeral

Just In: Publicist for Jonathan Demme, Oscar-winning director of "The Silence Of The Lambs," confirms he has died pic.twitter.com/PDQeG9poNL

— David Mack (@davidmackau) April 26, 2017

According to an official statement released by Demme’s publicist on Wednesday afternoon, Demme’s family will be holding a private funeral in his honor. “Any possible further plans,” the statement reads, “will be announced later.”

The family asks that donations be made to the Americans for Immigrant Justice in Miami, FL, in lieu of flowers.

Evin Cosby, Bill Cosby’s Daughter: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Evin Cosby, Bill Cosby's youngest daughter, has spoken out in defense of her father, claiming he "loves and respects" women.

Click here to read more

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
RELATED POSTS

Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Cremation in 2024

Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice for end-of-life arrangements, offering a flexible and often more affordable alternative to traditional burial. As we step into 2024, the options and considerations for choosing cremation have evolved, influenced by changing societal norms, technological advancements, and environmental concerns.

Which House Building Materials is best for you? 

Choosing the right materials for building a house is crucial for ensuring durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The materials you select will impact the overall quality, maintenance requirements, and longevity of your home. This article explores some of the best materials to invest in for house

Top 10 Best Rehearsal Dinner Dresses

The rehearsal dinner is the kickoff to the wedding festivities. It’s the first time you’ll see wedding guests, including friends and families that have traveled from near and far. There’s an overwhelming excitement in the air and while you’re saving the most important outfit choice

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WEEKLY TIMELINE