The sales business has paid tribute to veteran international film distribution executive Anne-Marie Ross (née Boysen), who has died aged 49 after a two-year fight with cancer.
Ross died on September 9 from advanced cancer caused by a rare genetic mutation. She served for more than two decades in the international sales space and worked at Lionsgate and Pantelion, among others.
“Anne-Marie embodied poise, class, smarts and kindness,” said eOne film president Nick Meyer, to whom Ross reported after she joined Lionsgate International at the start of her career in 2001. “She always had a glow of positivity. She was a star who could handle any curveball thrown at her during those early days at Lionsgate when I had the privilege of getting to know her and work with her for seven years. The sadness and injustice of her loss is felt by anyone who knows her, but no one can imagine the hurt that Jonathan, the kids and her parents are feeling. My heart aches as I’m just writing these words.”.
Ross rose through the ranks and in 2012 was named EVP of international sales. President of international Helen Lee-Kim said, “Anne-Marie was a dear friend and colleague whose high-wattage smile brightened every room. We made such great memories traveling the international film markets together and I’ll forever cherish the many laughs we shared. Her kindness and generosity belied her fierce negotiating style. She had such a strong work ethic, always fully present and committed to everything she touched in her career and at home. Nothing was more important than Jon, the kids and her family. Our hearts break for everyone.”
In 2014 Ross became president of Pantelion Films where she led the company’s international sales division for the first four years after launch. From 2018 until her death she co-founded and led TLC Wellness, a portfolio of business and consumer-facing companies in the health & wellness sector, and was an advisor to National Bank Of Canada in the entertainment space.
She launched Parents of Preemies Day-Los Angeles, a fundraising and awareness event she hosted annually at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital with her husband for five years.
Ross is survived by her husband, Jonathan Ross, their three children, her father Tom Boysen Sr., her mother Pochan Boysen, and her brother Tom Boysen Jr.
A Celebration Life for her life is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made towards the advancement of cancer research to the LUNGevity Foundation and EGFR Resisters group.
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