Warren Skaaren was a remarkable individual, born on March 9, 1946, in Rochester, Minnesota, with a life that would span nearly four and a half decades.
Growing up, Skaaren's passion for the film industry was evident, and after graduating from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 1969, he began his professional journey.
Initially, he worked at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, but his true calling lay in the film industry. In 1970, he was appointed executive director of the Texas Film Commission by Governor Preston Smith, a role that would shape the course of his career.
During his tenure, Skaaren played a pivotal role in attracting numerous film productions to Texas, with nearly forty feature films being shot in the state under his guidance. His achievements didn't go unnoticed, and he soon became a driving force behind the distribution of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a film in which he took a personal financial stake.
The success of the film enabled Skaaren to leave the Film Commission and pursue his dreams in the film industry. He went on to become a renowned screenwriter and film producer, working on notable projects such as Batman (1989),Beetlejuice (1988),Beverly Hills Cop 2 (1987),and Fire with Fire (1986),among others.
Sadly, Skaaren's life was cut short when he succumbed to cancer on December 28, 1990, in Austin, Texas. Despite his untimely passing, his contributions to the film industry continue to be celebrated, and legacy his lives on through his body of work.
