Hannibal and Red Dragon producer Martha De Laurentiis dies aged 67 after brain cancer battle

The TV producer was best known for her work on Hannibal and Red Dragon (Picture: Getty)

Martha De Laurentiis has died at the age of 67, it has been confirmed. 

The TV producer, who was best known for working on Hannibal and Red Dragon, had battled brain cancer. 

De Laurentiis’ daughter Dina confirmed the news in a statement and said, according to The Hollywood Reporter: ‘My mother was both a warm, generous, optimistic soul — my father always referred to her as his “sunshine” — and a fierce protector. 

‘A treasured wife, mother and grandmother and a friend who touched so many, as well as a nurturer — and protector — of creative people on the movies and television she loved. She put family first but got up every morning passionate about building upon my father’s legacy and continuing to forge her own. 

‘Her kindness, intelligence and grace will continue to inspire us.’ 

De Laurentiis’ friend Bryan Fuller, a writer on Hannibal, paid tribute in an Instagram post, writing alongside photos of them together: ‘What an amazing lady. Martha De Laurentiis left us yesterday peacefully with her family at her side. Long live Martha and her brilliant legacy.’

DeLaurentiis has been described as a ‘treased wife, mother and grandmother’ (Picture: WireImage)

The TV producer had battled cancer (Picture: Getty Images)

The producer, born Martha Schumacher on July 10, 1954, grew up in Ohio and briefly worked as a model in New York before making the foray into film production.

She eventually went on to work on the adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter where she met now late husband Dino DeLaurentiis. The couple formed the company Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina, which was responsible for other King adaptations including Cat’s Eye, Maximum Overdrive and Silver Bullet.

Through their De Laurentiis Co. production company, the pair went on to produce films including Thomas Harris’ Hannibal, Red Dragon and The Last Legion.

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The company later developed a long-standing first-look deal with NBC Universal Pictures and DeLaurentiis executive produced the NBC version of Hannibal.

DeLaurentiis’ husband Dino died in 2010; she is survived by partner of 10 years Dr Randy Sherman, and daughters Carolyna De Laurentiis and Dina De Laurentiis.

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