Former Red Arrow Studios exec had recently shepherded 7 October doc We Will Dance Again to screens for Israeli firm Sipur
Michael Peter Schmidt, a towering and much-loved figure of the international TV world, has died aged 52.
Schmidt was most recently president of We Will Dance Again producer Sipur Studios, having previously been chief creative officer at Red Arrow Studios (now known as Seven.One Studios).
He died on Sunday at his home in Scarsdale, New York.
Schmidt began his career as a writer, producer and director, initially in a well-known German comedy troupe, before working for German firm WDR.
He then had stints as a TV director at entertainment producer Brainpool and as a creative producer for RTL Television’s entertainment department, before joining ProSiebenSat.1 in 2005.
He spent more than a decade with the German broadcasting giant in various divisions, becoming head of development, head of comedy and senior vice president of entertainment for German free TV operations.
Schmidt joined the management team that founded Red Arrow Studios in 2009, becoming its chief creative officer in January 2010.
He led global format and IP development, acquisitions and international distribution for Red Arrow, helping to propel the company to become a globally recognised outfit.
Schmidt joined Sipur after exiting Red Arrow in 2019 and had recently shepherded the award-winning 7 October documentary We Will Dance Again, produced in collaboration with Bitachon 365, MGM Television, See It Now Studios for Paramount+, BBC Storyville and Hot Channel 8.
He also led production of the The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes and hit scripted series Bad Boy, produced with Peter Chernin’s North Road Company.
Schmidt was also a board member of formats body FRAPA, chairman of streaming insight firm Vault AI, and a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Sipur chief exec, Emilio Schenker, said: “We are heartbroken by this loss of our beloved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are with Michael’s family, friends and all those around the world who had the privilege of working with him and learning from him.
“He was our mentor and our dear friend – the heart and soul of a young company trying to rise up. He was our guiding source, our compass and our spark.
“Michael was a driving force who has been with me since the beginning in shaping our expanding international strategy of developing , financing, producing films series, documentaries and reality formats for the international market.
“He was as a visionary, hands-on leader and a true champion of the global entertainment industry who has played such a key role in Sipur’s phenomenal growth in a relatively short amount of time. As a longtime senior executive in international television, he brought leadership and unmatched passion, wisdom and integrity to every project he touched. His contributions to the history of the global television industry will resonate for years to come.”
Schmidt is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gaby Sonnenberg, their children Jonathan, Julia Esther and Bennet Sonnenberg, and their dog, Pam, who was constantly by his side sleeping under his desk while he worked.
Funeral services are pending and details will be announced shortly.
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