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Miles Ketley, CEO of Stolen Picture Production Company, Dies at 52

Veteran British media executive Miles Ketley, who was more recently the CEO of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s production company Stolen Picture, has died unexpectedly. He was 52.

Ketley — whose death was announced Monday, but who died on Oct. 12 — had a wide-ranging career in film and television that spanned 25 years. It’s believed his death was sudden, and a cause is still unknown.

He joined Sony Pictures Television-backed Stolen Picture in 2017, and was recently promoting the company’s paranormal comedy “Truth Seekers” for Amazon Prime Video, which is set to debut on Oct. 30. Prior to that, he served as COO of Wales-based production outfit Bad Wolf.

A joint statement from Pegg and Frost on Twitter reads: “We are beyond heartbroken at the sudden and unexpected passing of our friend and colleague, Miles Ketley. He was the captain of our ship and the head of our family at Stolen Picture. We will miss him with all our hearts. We send boundless love and sympathy to his family and friends and ask that everyone’s privacy be respected at this time.”

 

Prior to Stolen Picture and Bad Wolf, Ketley co-founded the Film and TV Group at U.K. media law-firm Wiggin LLP. He had previously spent some time in Los Angeles as an executive at Fox Searchlight Pictures.

In addition to serving as CEO of Stolen, Ketley was also a partner in the media financing company Stone Story Media, a trustee of the Independent Cinema Office and on the event committee for the British Independent Film Awards.

In a statement shared with Variety, Wayne Garvie, president of Sony Pictures Television, said of Ketley’s death: “This is devastatingly sad news and we send our condolences and support to Miles’ family and friends at this time. Miles was achieving great things at Stolen Picture, and everyone there and across the wider SPT family will miss him greatly.”

Meanwhile, Bad Wolf co-founders Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner said in a statement shared with Variety: “Like everyone, we are heartbroken by the news about Miles. He was an enthusiastic, big-hearted and significant part of our early Bad Wolf years. We wouldn’t be where we are without him. He will be much missed by many. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

The British Independent Film Awards said of Ketley’s death: “All of us at BIFA were shocked and saddened to hear of Miles’ passing. He was a kind and clever friend to us and the Awards, generous always with his time and experience. He will be greatly missed.”

More to come.

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