Born in the Bronx in 1947, Seth began his industry career after graduating from Cornell University in 1968. Starting with Cornell Jazz Music concerts and poetry events featuring Allen Ginsberg, he went on to produce a star-studded 1972 Charles Mingus concert at Lincoln Center’s Philharmonic Hall, which was turned into a 1973 double album released by Columbia Records. 

 

In 1970 Seth became the second hire at New Line Cinema, having answered an ad in the Village Voice—“Distribute Movies to Colleges!”  As part of that enterprise, Seth is credited with having built the theatrical marketing concept of the 1970’s midnight movie—using the 1936 anti-cannabis propaganda film Reefer Madness—a practice that continued into the decade with movies such as Pink Flamingos, Sympathy for the Devil, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

 

As Senior Vice President of Films Inc, the exclusive 16mm non-theatrical distributor for MGM, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, and others, Seth assembled an impressive sales and marketing team including Michael Barker and Tom Bernard now of Sony Pictures Classics, as well as Columbia/TriStar Home Video exec and now indie producer Larry Estes. 

 

In 1979, Seth was named Corporate VP of Acquisitions and Business Affairs for RCA SelectaVision VideoDiscs in Rockefeller Center. During his tenure at RCA the teams he assembled included future industry executives Jim Gianopulos, Laura Reitman Spector, Chuck Mitchell, and Estes, who moved over from Films Inc in 1981.

 

After working as Senior VP of Programming and Promotion for United Satellite Communications Inc, Seth moved to the West Coast as Vice President of Paramount Television Group, specializing in finding unique product such as My Life as A Dog and Stand and Deliver. 

 

He returned to New Line Cinema in 1987, as President of Telecommunications and Planning, and subsequently served as producer / executive producer on numerous indie films, most notably Allison Anders’ award-winning Gas Food Lodging, and Chuck Norris-starrer Top Dog (1995).

 

His final project as producer, MK Ultra, directed by Joseph Sorrentino, only recently finished post-production.

 

In 1996, Seth was responsible for marketing the family movie SHILOH, released by Warner Bros. It became a top selling video that year – and resulted in two sequels. Writer/director Chip Rosenbloom said, “Seth took our little movie and created a unique strategy for it – and was instrumental in turning it into a big success. He was passionate about the arts – and had a brilliant understanding of the business side too – a rare combination. He became a great friend – and his love for his family and friends was inspiring. His passing is a big loss”.

 

For over 20 years, as President of Seth Willenson, Inc., he worked as a producer and media and marketing consultant, for many companies including GoodTimes Home Video, Working Title Films, Scholastic Entertainment, Nelvana Films, Paramount Pictures, New Line Cinema, PolyGram, Blockbuster Video, Saul Zaentz, Harry Thomason (The Last Ride), and The Disney Channel.

 

He is survived by Claire Willenson, his wife of 33 years, their two sons, Evan and Sammy, and a sister, Elizabeth Drucker.​