J.C. Spink, Executive Producer of “The Hangover” Trilogy, Dead at 45

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J.C. Spink, the genial producer of A History of Violence and Just Friends whose numerous executive producer credits included The Hangover trilogy, has died at the age of 45.

Spink died Tuesday night at his home in West Hollywood, according to media reports. His family confirmed his death, the cause of which was not immediately known, though an autopsy is expected to be performed.

In 1998, Spink co-founded the management-production company Benderspink with Chris Bender, with whom he graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia native was from. The dynamic duo started out as assistants at Zide-Perry Productions and worked their way up in Hollywood, helping to set up the hit comedy American Pie before inking a first-look deal with New Line.

Benderspink was a behemoth in the lucrative spec market, but Spink didn’t just have an eye for broad commercial fare. He also had good taste in edgy material as evidenced by A History of Violence, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

After 18 years together, Bender and Spink parted ways in May. At the time, Spink had a recurring role as the school bus driver on ABC’s The Goldbergs.

Spink is survived by his brothers Brian and Dan, his parents Marsh and Helyn, his sisters-in-law Jessica and Holly, his niece Campbell and his nephew Bennett. He also leaves behind countless friends and colleagues throughout Hollywood, which is no doubt devastated by this sad news.

I hung out with Spink at numerous industry events and not only was he always a fun guy to be around, but he really believed in me as a reporter. He had his struggles, as we all do, but he was getting help to overcome them, and I was proud of him for doing so. I’ll personally miss his booming laugh and his pointed insight on Hollywood. R.I.P. J.C.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief