Mo Rothman, the respected international film producer and distributor whose career spanned for more than 60 years has died following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Rothman died peacefully in Los Angeles on Sept 15.

Known as “Mighty Mo” to his entertainment associates around the world, Rothman was best known for orchestrating the truce between the US Government and Charlie Chaplin that allowed Chaplin to re-enter the United States in 1972 to receive a Special Oscar, after being denied re-entry during the McCarthy Era due to his alleged political stance.

During his time as executive vice president and chief executive officer at Columbia Pictures Corporation, Rothman worked with the likes of Stanley Kubrick on classic films like Dr. Strangelove. After moving to the United States to serve as president of worldwide distribution, Rothman left Columbia in 1971 to focus on restoring the reputation of Charlie Chaplin and acquiring the worldwide rights in all media to Chaplin’s entire library, with the intention of distributing his films for the world to see. 

Rothman served on juries of both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. On May 21, 1982 he was honored by the Italian government for his services to Italian Cinema and awarded the Commendatore of the Order of Merit.

In addition to his wife of 37 years Lyn Rothman, Mo Rothman is survived by three children - Keith, Monique and Nicole - and two stepchildren, Sebastian and Arabella Serrell-Watts, as well as seven grandchildren.

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