Michael Peter Schmidt, an international TV force who was president of Israel’s Sipur Studios and a co-founder of Red Arrow Studios, has died aged 52.
Schmidt died at home in New York surrounded by family on Sunday. No cause of death was given.
Speaking on behalf of Sipur chairman Gideon Tadmor and the team, CEO Emilio Schenker said: “We are heartbroken by this loss of our beloved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are with Michael’s family, friends and all those around the world who had the privilege of working with him and learning from him. He was our mentor and our dear friend – the heart and soul of a young company trying to rise up. He was our guiding source, our compass and our spark.”
Schenker called Schmidt a “driving force who has been with me since the beginning in shaping our expanding international strategy.” “He was as a visionary, hands-on leader and a true champion of the global entertainment industry who has played such a key role in Sipur’s phenomenal growth in a relatively short amount of time,” he added. “As a longtime senior executive in international television, he brought leadership and unmatched passion, wisdom and integrity to every project he touched. His contributions to the history of the global television industry will resonate for years to come.”
Previously a writer, producer and director, Schmidt began his career as a performer in a well-known German comedy troupe and went on to work in the TV industry with roles including producer at WDR; TV director at entertainment producer Brainpool; creative producer for RTL Television’s entertainment department; executive producer and consultant for Granada Germany and editorial director at youth entertainment station Viva.
He moved to German broadcast giant ProSiebenSat.1 in 2005 and held a number of senior management roles before joining the management team that founded Red Arrow Studios in 2009, becoming its Chief Creative Officer in January 2010 and leading global format and IP development, acquisitions and international distribution.
He moved to Israel’s Sipur several years back, where the team said he was known as “The Oracle of Sipur.” Credits included October 7 doc We Will Dance Again, The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes and Bad Boy, the latter of which was made with North Road, home of his former colleague Jan Frouman.
Only two weeks ago, Schmidt and the We Will Dance Again team received an Honorary Emmy for their exceptional achievement in a Television Academy Honors ceremony in Los Angeles. He was due to attend the News & Documentary Emmy Awards in New York this week, where the film is nominated for Best Documentary.
Schmidt is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gaby Sonnenberg, their children Jonathan, Julia Esther and Bennet Sonnenberg, and their beloved dog, Pam. Funeral services are pending and details will be announced shortly.
