Goldberg was a writer and/or producer on several of Ivan Reitmans films and a father figure to Jason.
Here is his first-person remembrance.
This morning, he passed away in Los Angeles.
Daniel Goldberg. ‘Stripes’ and ‘Six Days Seven Nights’Getty Images; Everett Collection
Dan and my father met at McMaster University in 1966.
Just a couple movie-loving Canadian kids with criminal records and parole officers.
Thats how their careers started.
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Dan went on to build a filmography defined by protagonists who fought the system.
Dan Goldberg co-wrote bothMeatballsandStripeswith another college friend, Len Blum.
They returned hours later to find no manuscript.
Just a handwritten note.
The typist was so offended by the pages, they refused to bang out a single word.
Story goes, the night of the moon landing, they were listening on the car radio.
When everyone got cold feet, Dan and my dad were the first to strip down.
Dan loved movies as much as any person Ive ever met.
He abhorred spoilers and refused to watch trailers.
He worshipped the movie theater experience and couldnt wait to talk after the credits.
He read every script I ever wrote.
Even the really bad ones that didnt deserve the light of day.
He offered me nothing but insight and kindness.
I fear I never thanked him enough for this generosity.
Same shoulders to rest my head on.
He is survived by his wife, Ilona Herzberg.
An extraordinary partner and producer of great note.
Together, they told stories, saw movies and traveled the world.
In many ways, I have always felt that my sisters and I were their children.
I can only hope they felt the same way.
like watch one of Dan Goldbergs movies this week and laugh so loud that he hears you in heaven.
