David Siegel, Veteran Hollywood Producer Behind ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Dances with Wolves,’ Dies at 70

David Siegel, a longtime Hollywood producer who worked on some of the most popular studio films of the past four decades, died on Jan. 8 in Los Angeles. He was 70.

Across his career, Siegel helped bring many well-known movies to the screen, including The Hangover trilogy, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Dances with Wolves, Gravity, The Pursuit of Happyness, The LEGO Movie, War Dogs, Serenity, Holes, Air Force One, and Bull Durham. His final project, Final Destination: Bloodlines, was completed with Siegel serving as executive producer.

Siegel frequently worked as a production manager and line producer, roles that required him to solve complex problems and keep large productions running smoothly. He collaborated with a wide range of filmmakers, including Kevin Costner, Todd Phillips, Rob Reiner, Penny Marshall, and David Lester.

Over the years, Siegel also worked closely with major studios such as Warner Bros., Disney, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, Columbia Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.

Before moving into producing, Siegel began his career in Washington, D.C., where he co-founded a location services company. He later spent more than a decade working as a motion picture transportation coordinator, experience that gave him a deep understanding of how film sets operate and helped prepare him for a long career in Hollywood. He was a member of the Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Colleagues often said Siegel had a rare ability to connect with crews at every level. Beyond his producing duties, he was known as a generous mentor who encouraged newcomers, shared knowledge freely, and helped others find opportunities in the industry.

Siegel is survived by his wife, Janet Siegel; his daughters, Emma Sandler (Yoni) and Mollie Ennis (Sawyer); his sister, Judy Siegel Schmauss; and his grandchildren, Maya, Logan, and Indigo. A private memorial for family and friends will be held on Jan. 25.