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UPDATED
Production designer J. Michael Riva, whose most recent work includes Quentin Tarantino’s currently filming Django Unchained and Sony’s franchise reboot The Amazing Spider-Man, has died. Riva was 63. A Sony spokesman said Riva was in New Orleans on location and suffered a severe stroke while preparing to head to the studio. Very highly regarded in the industry, he was the son of actress-author Maria Riva and art director William Riva and the grandson of Marlene Dietrich and film editor Rudolph Sieber. Raised in New York City, he eventually found his way to Los Angeles. Dropping out of UCLA to pursue a career in production design, Riva apprenticed with Jackson DeGoiva and his first major movie was uncredited work with Toby Rafelson on I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977). That led to Brubaker (1980) with Robert Redford and subsequently Redford hired him for Ordinary People (1980). Other work included the 1984 cult fave The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension plus Bad Boys, The Goonies, The Golden Child and The Color Purple, which earned him an Oscar nomination, among numerous others. In addition to Django Unchained and the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man, Riva also worked on Iron Man and its first sequel, Spider-Man 3, both Charlie’s Angels movies, the four Lethal Weapon pictures as well as Scrooged, Congo, Dave and A Few Good Men. He received an Emmy for his design work on the 79th Annual Academy Awards.
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I met Michael only once, just a couple of months ago. We had mutual friends, and he invited me into his home and insisted on giving me dinner, despite my never meeting him before. I recognized his name but we didn’t speak about show business. We spoke about family. He had a wonderful, warm, loving one. He was, simply, a delight to be around, and I hoped we’d get to know each other better. I am brokenhearted by this news, in a way that seems shocking for somebody I knew for only forty-five minutes. My thoughts go out to his warm, wonderful, loving family.
Truly one of the most generous people in this business. My heart breaks at this news as I always was happy knowing the world existed with him in it. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Michael will be truly missed. He was a true genius and a great person.
What a tragedy. RIP.
Mr. Riva taught a class in production design at UCLA extension around ’87. He was a very good teacher and very generous with his time.
RIP Michael.
He was a kind and funny kid when we were in school together. Wish I’d kept in touch, since he turns out to have been a kind and funny man. RIP
I fell madly in love with Michael, on sight, as most women did when he was single and organizing his “salon” brunches at the Westbeach. He was handsome and charming and brilliant. Michael hired me as his personal story analyst, which helped develop my career. Condolences to his family.
Michael was one of the kindest, most warm-hearted and loving people around–to friends, family, colleagues alike.
He will be deeply missed by all. I’m grateful to have known him, even briefly.
Michael was a longtime family friend. He was an amazing,charismatic, loving, and talented person who was loved by so many. He will be deeply missed.
Sincerest condolences to his family. A lovely man whose success and talent never went to his head. He treated everyone with kindness and dignity, no matter what role they played or what job they held on a movie. A tragic loss. We lost one of the good guys.
On behalf of my entire family I just wanted to thank everyone for the great support and comfort you have shown. Mike was my big Brother and while I also was in the business for thirty years my first real job was as his assistant on the film “the Hand”, with Michael Caine and utilizing a first-time director Oliver Stone. Mike has always been the center of our family, having inherited the artestry and talent of his father – but himself being decidedly better at human relations. He always had this smile you see and his sparkling eyes. The only thing I ever had on him was hair – and that we made a joke of for our entire lives. Bye Mike – I love you – you will be missed.
I met Michael Riva while working on a series at PBS called Freestyle. He was a charming, creative and hard-working colleague, witty, warm and friendly as a person. Although budgets were small, our show never lacked for attractive sets and dressing- often with finishing touches placed by Michael himself. Incidentally, one of the women on the production team noted that he had very shapely legs- he gave all the credit to genes from his grandmother.
Michael left the show (as had been pre-agreed) when Redford started Brubaker and he had to leave for Ohio. His place as Production Designer for the last couple of shows was taken by his talented and energetic Art Director- Todd Hallowell- whom Michael recommended with real enthusiasm.
Looking back I can see the strong outlines of Michael’s character: talent, judgement, hard work and generosity. And a smile that could light up a room.
Adieu, Michael.
Sincere condolences David from someone way back when.
Uncle Mike, you will be missed. I love you and I will always think about you. You were the best. I am happy your that your not suffering but I’ll miss you.. and to my family, I love you all and stay strong.
Michael came bouncing up out of the indie scene of the 70′s with humor, panache, a talented eye and hand, and a ferocious work ethic. He was one of the best designers who emerged in this era, and one whose technical mastery grew with every picture. It was a pleasure to know him, to work with him, and to see his work, which had a wry sensibility that always included you in on the fun. An authentic artist.
Hail and farewell.
Michael was a class act and could not have been a kinder gentleman to me on my first movie set. He was as passionate about getting the story right as he was about getting the production design right. What a distinguished career and a terrible loss for all of us. My condolences to David and the rest of the family.
I am very sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. He was an extraordinarily talented man with a great yet understated presence. He was the kind of individual you could enjoy spending hours talking with about a variety of topics. So accomplished in his field yet humble and always quick to point out what he could learn from you. You left each meeting with Michael feeling better about yourself. In summary, he was a very good man.
Our entire family sends our heartfelt sympathy to your family. Your Mother once told me there really aren’t any words to explain how you feel or take the pain away. I just hope the little prayers we say help you cope and keep you strong. We Love You
David and family…
I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t think I ever had the opportunity to meet Mike when i lived with the family on E.95th … he was already in LA. But I remember how proud you all were of him.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this time.
Jonathan
David,
What a beautiful tribute to your brother. The legacy he leaves both of his kindness and generosity as well as his artistic talents will last many lifetimes. How much he accomplished in too short of a time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your mother, your brothers and your extended family and friends.
He was a great man. Ive had the privilege to bring Michael into my film class. He was incredibly kind, generous, and down to earth.
sucks…. everyone will miss him truly…. RIP
My first Christmas in America was spent at the Riva home in NYC, 1982. Michael was already known for his talent and hard work by then. He was sweet, humble and down to earth, all this despite his gorgeous persona, his accomplishments and his popularity. I admired him then and still do now. Thank you Mike (and David and Maria) for welcoming me into your home, making me feel like family, and for giving the most awesome Christmas holiday I’ve ever had. My condolences to you, sending strength your way. Love you David.
Our families were great friends from the 60′s to 80′s and spent many summers fishing and having wonderful times. Although I was a few years older than all the brothers and there were never any romantic entanglements between us, I remember being jealous when Michael was dating Jamie Leigh Curtis. There is a hole in my heart for the beautiful blonde-haired boy I remember and for all the Rivas in this tragic time.
Hi David,
What a beautiful tribute to your brother. Michael was truly an amazing, loving and talented person. On behalf of our family, please give our love and deepest sympathy to your family. I am a niece of Peggy Whitley (Bernard) who has been friends with your mother and a cousin of Laura Bernard (who knew Michael since they were young). My family also spent beautiful times with your family in Switzerland. Heartfully, Valerie (Wildman)