Hollywood Producer and Co-Writer of “The Hangover” Trilogy, Daniel Goldberg, Passes Away at 74

Renowned filmmaker Daniel Goldberg, known for producing blockbuster hits such as “The Hangover” trilogy and co-writing comedy classics like “Stripes” and “Meatballs,” has died at the age of 74 in Los Angeles. The news was confirmed by filmmaker Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman who directed “Stripes” and “Meatballs” and had a long-standing friendship with Goldberg since their college days in the 1960s.

Goldberg and Ivan Reitman formed a successful partnership that spanned over three decades, collaborating on notable films including the animated cult classic “Heavy Metal” (1981), the beloved toon/live-action hybrid “Space Jam” (1996), and the comedy “Junior” (1994) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their collaborations also extended to films such as “Fathers’ Day” (1997), “Six Days Seven Nights” (1998), and “Private Parts” (1997), famously promoted by Howard Stern at the Cannes Film Festival.

Goldberg’s career took off with the success of “Meatballs” (1979), a raunchy summer-camp comedy featuring Bill Murray in his breakthrough starring role. He followed it up with the hilarious military comedy “Stripes” (1981), which starred Murray alongside Harold Ramis and marked the beginning of their fruitful partnership seen later in the “Ghostbusters” films. Goldberg’s producing career gained momentum in the mid-’90s.

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n 2009, Goldberg achieved his biggest success as a producer with “The Hangover,” a comedy set in Las Vegas starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Ken Jeong. The film became a global phenomenon, grossing nearly $470 million worldwide and earning accolades such as Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards for Best Comedy Movie. Goldberg continued his success by producing the sequels “The Hangover Part II” (2011) and “The Hangover Part III” (2013), both of which garnered significant box office numbers.

Apart from his contributions to the film industry, Goldberg also served as a co-executive producer on HBO’s 1996 telepic “The Late Shift,” which received an Emmy nomination. He further extended his expertise to animated TV series adaptations of popular films like “Beethoven” and “Extreme Ghostbusters” as an executive producer.

Daniel Goldberg is survived by his wife, Ilona Herzberg, as well as his siblings Kathy Hogg, Amy Goldberg, and Harris Goldberg. The legacy he leaves behind includes a remarkable career filled with iconic comedies that have entertained audiences for generations.