Stephen Verona died on Saturday after a year and a half long battle with lung cancer. Readers of this site probably know Verona best as the Producer, Co-Writer and Director of Lords of Flatbush, but Verona was much more than that.
Verona got his start creating commercials. He met and became friends with John Lennon which led to Verona getting to animate the Beatles song I Feel Fine. Next came a music short with Barbara Streisand. He went on to work with Natalie Cole, Chicago, Simon & Garfunkel and many others.
Verona was a screenwriter, an award-winning director of feature films, television episodes and specials, an an award-winning painter and photographer. A renaissance man, indeed.
The Hollywood Reporter posted that “When Stallone learned that Verona was ill, he sent him an email saying that his career would not have been the same without him.” The same could be said for many other celebrities.
Had Stephen Verona only been known as the talent behind Lords of Flatbush, it would have been worth noting here, but I hope fans know he was so much more.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Stephen Verona’s family, friends and fans.
