Sad news, folks. We’re seeing reports on Facebook thatDanny Leiner, the director of the beloved comediesHarold and Kumar Go to White CastleandDude, Where’s My Car?has passed away following a long illness.
Leiner got his start with the well-received short filmsMy Birthday CakeandTime Expired, which led him to make his feature debut with the 1996 comedyLayin’LowstarringJeremy PivenandEdie Falco. Four years later, he was tapped to direct theAshton Kutcher-Seann William ScottcomedyDude, Where’s My Car?, where he also worked with a youngJennifer Garner. The film grossed $73 million worldwide on a $13 million budget, proving to be a modest hit for 20th Century Fox, though a much-rumored sequel failed to materialize.
However, the success ofDudeled to New Line offering Leiner another stoner movie,Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, which spawned two sequels and is likely the film that Leiner will best be remembered for.Harold and KumarboastedJohn ChoandKal Pennas leads long before Hollywood prioritized diversity and inclusivity, and the two proved to have dynamite chemistry together. The subsequent franchise became a major win for representation, with Leiner being a big part of that thanks to his savvy eye for casting.
After a pair of stoner comedies, Leiner was eager to mix things up and spread his wings as a filmmaker. He directed the 2005 dramedyThe Great New Wonderful, which weaves together five stories against the backdrop of an anxious and uncertain post-9/11 New York City. He also produced the acclaimed indie filmsThe ArchitectstarringAnthony LaPagliaandViola Davis, as well asThe Young KieslowskistarringRyan MalgariniandHaley Lu Richardson. The last movie Leiner directed himself was the 2009 comedyBalls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach, which reunited the filmmaker with hisDudestar Seann William Scott.
Leiner was also a prolific television director with credits on such beloved series asFelicity,Party of Five,Gilmore Girls,Freaks and Geeks,The Office,Sports NightandArrested Development. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but producers likeTed HopeandRoss Putmanmemorialized Leiner on social media. The latter took to Facebook to pay tribute to his friend and collaborator, writing “If there’s one thing I can say about Danny the professional, it’s that he refused to let us settle for anything less than our best. He pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of.Danny the person was sardonic, sharp, and savvy, with a love for culture and comedy of all kinds. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but the world has lost a good one.”
Leiner was an East Coast guy, and a very sweet man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was one of my very first interviews for Ain’t It Cool News, way back in May 2006.Click hereto read our 12-year-old chat, and if you haven’t seenHarold and Kumarin a while, this weekend may be the perfect time to go back and watch it. Rest in peace, Danny. We’ll miss you.
