MOVIE NEWS – According to a close friend, Jay Penske, Kevin Turen was one of Hollywood’s “brightest rising stars”.

Hollywood producer Kevin Turen, known for his work on HBO’s Euphoria and The Idol, died Sunday, his close friend said in a statement. The man was 44.

Jay Penske, chief executive of Penske Media Corp., said Turen was one of Hollywood’s “brightest rising stars”.

“Despite his many achievements in Hollywood, Kevin’s greatest passion was his family and friends. He was so proud of his children,” he said.

Turen and his wife Evelina “were resolved to ensure their two sons grew up with ‘great values’ to ‘make a difference’ in the world,” Penske added. “Our collective heart breaks for them, and we all feel such a profound sense of loss.”

Turen’s father, Edward Turen, confirmed his son’s death to entertainment news portal Deadline. The cause of death is not yet known.

It is a sad coincidence that Euphoria star Angus Cloud, 25, also considered a huge talent, died in July of an accidental, fatal drug overdose.

Turen was born in New York and studied film at Columbia University. He made his debut as a producer in the 2005 indie teen drama “Wassup Rockers”. As one of four producers on the American slasher film series “X”, Turen was set to join the production of the third film in the trilogy, “MaXXXine”, earlier this year.

British independent film producer Cassian Elwes, who was executive producer of Dallas Buyers Club, said that the “small-town” nature of Hollywood means that most people who work there know each other. Especially in indie film circles, of which Turen was a part.

“We all know each other really well, because we are kindred spirits,” Elwes said. “We lost a very important person in our circle.” Oscar-nominated producer Lynette Taylor called Turen’s death a “horrific loss” for X.

Source: Los Angeles Times