Hollywood lost one of its most warmhearted creative forces on March 2, 2026. Andrew Gunn, the Canadian film producer who helped define Disney’s beloved live-action comedy era of the 2000s, passed away at his home in Toronto, Canada, at just 58 years old. His family confirmed that he died from complications of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) — also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease — a condition he had been battling since his diagnosis in 2024.
🔗 Learn more about ALS, the disease that claimed Andrew Gunn’s life, on Wikipedia
Andrew Gunn — Life & Legacy at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrew Gunn |
| Born | July 15, 1969 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Passed Away | March 2, 2026 — Toronto, Canada |
| Age at Death | 58 |
| Cause | Complications from ALS (diagnosed 2024) |
| Production Company | Gunn Films (founded 2001) |
| Key Films Produced | Freaky Friday (2003), Sky High (2005), The Haunted Mansion (2003), Cruella (2021), Freakier Friday (2025) |
| Notable Initiative | Disney Writers Program (launched 2001) |
| Survived By | Wife Jane Bellamy Gunn, children Isabelle & Connor Gunn, mother Anne, siblings Hilary, Graeme & Cameron |
The Producer Behind the Magic
Andrew Gunn’s story with Disney began when he founded Gunn Films in 2001 and secured an exclusive first-look deal with Walt Disney Pictures. What followed was an extraordinary run of family films that a generation of kids grew up watching.
His most iconic achievement was championing Freaky Friday (2003). When the original casting of Annette Bening, Michelle Trachtenberg and Tom Selleck fell through, Gunn pushed to keep the project alive — eventually landing Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in what became a cultural touchstone. The film earned over $160 million worldwide and earned Curtis a Golden Globe nomination. He produced the 2025 sequel Freakier Friday too, and took special pride in having his two children, Isabelle and Connor, work on set alongside him.
Beyond his filmography, Gunn founded the Disney Writers Program — a mentorship initiative that launched the careers of writers responsible for Elf, The Haunted Mansion, Father of the Bride (2022), and The Terminal List, among others. Screenwriter Blaise Hemingway summed it up: Gunn was the “godfather” to an entire generation of Hollywood storytellers.
Former Disney executive Nina Jacobson remembered him as someone who brought “hope, optimism and attentiveness” to every project he touched.
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