It was 1988 in the badlands of Nebraska, in an abandoned farmhouse, I was about to call action on a scene with a homicidal maniac when I noticed someone was sitting on the set, by the window in a rocking chair. It was Tom. He'd flown in to surprise me. I'd met Tom at AFM in 1984, where he sold my first film. 

Tom was always supportive.  When Prince opened his club, Grand Slam, in downtown LA in the early '90s, Tom rented a limo and we went. At the door, the six foot three female bouncer dressed like a gladiator, frisked me and found a joint. Tom stepped in. "I'm her lawyer. I'll make sure she behaves."  Tom slipped the gladiator some cash and we went inside. After a long night of imbibing, we inexplicably found ourselves on an elevator going up.  The door opened on the glittery skyline of downtown LA and sitting in a booth were Tupac and Biggie, dressed like 1930s gangsters, smoking cigars.  We stared at them. They stared at us.  A moment of tension.  "Good evening," Tom said and the doors closed.

Tom floored it through life. Whether cheering for the giraffes and zebras to out swim the crocodiles in the Mara River, buzzing around the the Statue of Liberty in a helicopter during a harvest moon or dancing in the front row of the Greek Theater to the White Stripes.  Tom was up for anything and everything. The only place I never saw him set foot was on Venice Beach, which was odd because he lived on front beach.  One night after teasing him unmercifully about it, he jumped out, stripped and ran out the door. I can still see his white ass and hear him hooting as he ran full steam into the ocean. 

Dear, Dear, Tom, 

I hesitated to write remembering how you corrected my spelling and grammar in our early telex exchanges. I have to write as you have been consuming my every thought.  

It has been about 40 years since we first met in Cannes. I was looking forward to meeting you as you were representing world class cinema that I was interested in screening. You seemed interested in talking to me, soley about my release of "Caligula". The chemistry between us was great and has remained throughout the years. Those first 20 years were remarkable traveling annually through the international, domestic festival and market circuit. Meeting in Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland Milan, Telluride, Venice Mifed, AFM, L.A, and New York City of course along with so many more each year. Along with other gifts you had a fantastic sense of direction and navigated each destination with satellite precision. Didn't need a Garmin when I had a Garvin. 

Throughout those years it was always a joy to see you and spend time with you again, always wonderful. If I was ever a bit miffed with you it was only because of your incredible generosity, thoughtfulness and friendship taking over the show. Spending time with you has always been spending time with a best friend, a brother. You were forever authentic and genuine, confident and remarkably engaging. A unique human being. We laughed a lot and had lotsa fun.  I remember the time I had a screening of "Bad Lieutenant" at a festival I shall not mention. You asked to meet Abel Ferrara before the introduction so of course you and Abel talked, hugged and exchanged contact info. A few moments later Abel began introducing the movie then paused, and shouted out, "after the screening there's a party at Tom Garvin's  house! I turned to look for you and you were gone. After the screening Abel took off and I followed with Harvey Keitel and the amazing Zoë Lund. We got to your house and like the magician you often are, there were a few hundred bodies drinking beer from kegs strategically located and for the elder statesmen plenty of wine and snacks. You and Abel were quite amused and laughing about it all.  We have a history of moments with really wild, wild auteur directors from Tunisia and beyond, first time young filmmakers, compelling and often demanding talent. Tom your career, in no small way, is an important component of the history of what is the independent film industry. You have worked hard and played harder as you watched the business evolve. There is nothing that comes to mind that would have made these past decades in cinema more interesting or more memorable than having the opportunity to have shared it with you. The friendship with both you and Ann over these years has been a godsend privilege for both Gayle and I. A gift. A treasure. 

I cannot say Goodbye. 

I will not say Goodbye.

say what I've always said..."See ya, Tom"

Every time I sat down to write about Tom - at least five times over the last few weeks - words simply failed me. His brilliance, generosity, bon vivant spirit, his impact on the global independent film business. His travel recommendations - was there anyplace he hadn’t visited and made lifelong friends? 

 But the force of nature that was Tom… something you simply had to experience. And how lucky for you if you did!  Tom was my mentor, my business partner, and a tremendous inspiration from the day we met when we both were speaking on a panel. I was the music and sports lawyer with a plan to become an airline pilot.  He wore suits and ties, had an endless supply of pink tinged B12 shots from Germany, and got great joy from describing his latest sale-leaseback and the new twist to his transfer pricing strategy. So naturally - having now been swept up by the force of nature that Tom was - we formed a law firm. Little did I know that his passion was contagious and that I too would learn to love diagramming tax-advantaged multi-national co-financings and poring over film budgets and security agreements at all hours of the day and night. The pain of working 24/7 through the holidays to close year-end financings was always offset by laughter, great food, incredible wine, and the most fascinating and loyal friends and colleagues on the planet. His mentorship and support changed my life and set me on a path for which I am beyond fortunate and deeply grateful. 

What I will miss most though is the glint in his eye when he regaled us about his latest adventures with Ann, Peter, Robbert, and others, and seeing his pride and joy when surrounded by Ann and his friends at his world-renowned parties at home and afar. To have known and loved Tom was one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, my friend. 

In July 1987 we were married in Santa Barbara with Ann and Tom in attendance. Later that month we went to England for a honeymoon trip and were able to meet Tom, who was there on business, for a day out in London. He drove us around town showing us some of the sites. While walking over London Bridge we walked by David Byrne, so Tom had a brief chat with him. Tom also took us to a pub where we met some other friends of his.

That evening Tom took us to a fancy Indian restaurant where we ordered plenty of wine with our dinner. Tom was always the great host, always insisting on keeping everyone’s wine glass full. However, on this occasion he was unable to do that himself. The first time he grabbed the wine bottle from the chiller to refill my glass a large bearded Indian man in a turban and carrying a sword took the bottle from him and said, “No sir, that’s my job!”

The day was a wonderful blur and one of many fond memories of family celebrations with Tom.

We will miss his generous sharing of his enjoyment of life.

Fifty years ago I was attending the Loyola Marymount University debate institute. For weeks I had heard about this larger-than-life debater from Texas, and then I met him. With certain people you remember the first moment you met them. It is frozen in time, and the years are an elaboration of that moment. 

Tom was larger than life. I am still not sure which was longer -- his beard or his hair.  He spoke his mind,  loved to laugh, and through college and through our youth and into adulthood and our later years, he was how I kept track of my life -- as a roommate in college, when he moved to San Francisco, when he moved to Westwood, when he moved to Marina Del Rey, when he entertained us  and entertained us.  Over the last years, he struggled with pain -- what an understatement, but no pain could stifle his generosity.

I am not skilled in prognostication, but I was right fifty years ago when I said to myself, "This is a man like no other." What a lucky guy I was to know and love him.

When I think of Tom, I think of caring and sharing. Some examples:

“Hi Tom, we’re going to Washington, D.C.”

Tom: “Perfect! You must visit that rooftop terrace—it has the best view of the White House.”

“Hi Tom, we’re headed to Nairobi.”

Tom: “Lovely! Stay at the Norfolk Hotel, and be sure to ask for that special room!”

“Hi Tom, we’re going to San Francisco.”

Tom: “You absolutely must go to that redwood bar—it’s the most beautiful place ever!”

“Hi Tom, will we meet in Hong Kong?”

Tom: “Yes! And we’ll have dinner at the best restaurant with the greatest view—and, by the way, we’ll go on a round-the-island boat tour!”

These examples may seem simple, but they illustrate Tom’s engagement, his knowledge of the world and the places to be, and his caring and sharing spirit.

Ann, the memories of Tom remain with us. His spiritual presence is still here, watching over you and all of us, with the same care and love he always showed.

Tom was more than just a colleague; he was a trusted friend and a brilliant negotiator. Our paths crossed when Tom was at Intermedia and I was leading IFG. Though I had a background as a lawyer and general counsel, I was still getting my bearings in the world of bonding. Tom was instrumental in supporting me through those early days.

One of the most memorable moments we shared was during a particularly challenging deal for a high-budget, high-profile film. The conference room was filled with lawyers representing various parties—lenders, distributors, sales teams, and there we were, Tom for Intermedia and I for IFG. The deal was complex, with countless moving parts, and tensions were high.

Tom, in his usual fashion, quickly took the reins as the negotiator-in-chief. He had this incredible ability to understand everyone's concerns and find a path forward. I remember one instance during that deal where an attorney raised an issue to be addressed in the completion bond. While I was still contemplating how to approach it, Tom immediately stepped in and said, "That's something Steve could never agree to!"

I was caught off guard, not sure if I would indeed have rejected it, and was already thinking of possible compromises and solutions. But Tom, with his characteristic confidence and assertiveness, continued, "What I think Steve could possibly accept is..." He then proposed a solution that not only satisfied me but also gained the approval of everyone else in the room.

If it had been anyone else, I might have been annoyed at the audacity of speaking on my behalf. But with Tom, it was different. Despite representing different interests, I always felt that he had my back, and I had his. We were partners in finding solutions, pushing deals forward, and making sure they closed successfully. That particular deal, thanks to Tom, came together beautifully, and it was just one of many where his expertise and integrity made all the difference.

Tom Garvin was not just a remarkable professional; he was also a close friend with a big and generous heart. One of the traditions that truly reflected his warmth and hospitality was the annual dinner he hosted during AFM and a more exclusive dinner he hosted for very close colleagues and friends during the Cannes Film Festival. Despite the whirlwind of activity that the festival brought, with everyone’s schedules packed to the brim, Tom took it upon himself to find the perfect night, time, and venue. He knew how important it was to take a step back from the frenzy, and he made sure we all had that opportunity to connect, unwind, and make lasting bonds over exquisite French cuisine and fine wine.

Tom was in his element during these dinners, playing the gracious host with a glass of fine Bordeaux in hand. He had an uncanny ability to bring people together, ensuring that everyone felt welcomed and appreciated. Those evenings were filled with laughter, great conversation, and a sense of camaraderie that was all thanks to Tom’s generous spirit.

Tom was a remarkable individual, and I am grateful for the many deals we worked on together and for the friendship that grew out of our professional relationship. His memory will always remind me of the importance of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories of those special times, and the friendships he helped forge, will always remain.

I knew of Tom long before I ever met him in person. Shortly after Tom left Loeb & Loeb in August of 1981, I joined Loeb & Loeb and was literally assigned to all of the client matters that Tom had been handling before he left the firm. As a newly minted lawyer, I learned so much from Tom by just reading his correspondence in the client files, and I especially enjoyed the repartee that he had established with Stanley Kubrick captured in his letters with Stanley, one of the clients Tom worked most closely with during his time at Loeb & Loeb. Although he was just two years out of law school, his confidence and command of whatever it was that he was working on was truly astounding.

Tom was already a legend in his own right by the time he left Loeb & Loeb in the summer of 1981. I believe Tom still holds the billable hour record at Loeb & Loeb – he once billed 27 hours in a single day, an achievement which only Tom could do!

Tom became a mentor to many. I recall when my daughter was moving back from NY to LA, how Tom insisted that he have lunch with her, to discuss her transitional plans for her new life in LA, even though my daughter had no interest in pursuing anything in the Entertainment business. That was Tom, not just there to provide career advice, but to offer his wisdom on life choices.

I told Tom many times that I owed my career to him – but for his leaving Loeb & Loeb when he did, I would never have been given the opportunity to become an Entertainment attorney. Like the impact that he had on my life, Tom was a man who indelibly touched the lives of so many, and all of us are so fortunate to have had Tom in our lives.

Rest in peace, Tom.

I met Tom for the first time in May of 2000 in Cannes. He had just been brought in as outside counsel by producer Chris Sievernich, and his reputation as an excellent transactional entertainment lawyer and outstanding negotiator preceded him.

I was a young German lawyer, fairly fresh out of law school, paying my dues at a major NEMAX 50 media company still riding high on the dot-com wave before the bubble burst.

At the instruction of my boss, I had been trading emails with a sales agent for weeks to get us out of a multi-million-dollar distribution deal for which there was a hastily signed deal memo in place. I was going to meet the sales agent in Cannes to attempt and settle the matter. Tom joined the meeting and, within 10 minutes, had "convinced" his counterpart that there was no binding agreement because the key commercial terms in the deal memo drafted by the sales agent greatly deviated from a series of previous deals between our respective companies and were therefore fraudulent. That day, I got my first glimpse at the art of "creative dispute resolution".

One of Tom’s favourite lines was "contrary to some other lawyers in my field, I haven’t forgotten what they taught me in law school." He was a skilled negotiator with a sharp mind and a clear view for the big picture, an indispensable skill for staying afloat in the transactional entertainment law business.

I once walked into his office, which was situated in a stunning penthouse on Sunset Boulevard and found the huge conference table neatly stacked with all the production, financing and banking documents his firm was handling for Terminator 3. He would walk around the table like a military strategist, checking each piece of the puzzle and planning his next move.

He was "old school" and yet forward thinking at the same time. His handwritten mark-ups of draft documents that he would fax to his clients and opponents with greetings in the upper corners were legendary among his peers and colleagues. I would copy his style for several years.

Tom was one of the most generous people I had ever met, always happy to share his knowledge and never shying away from a good argument. He took me under his wings and taught me many invaluable skills for my path as a young lawyer.

I lost count of how often he picked up the tab at lunches and dinners, probably sensing that my corporate entertainment allowance was meager.

I always felt that apart from spending time with Ann, there were few things he enjoyed more than traveling and sharing a nice dinner with friends or colleagues after a long work day. He worked tirelessly for his clients. He once flew from LA to Munich for 1 day so he could personally present the results of an advisory report on an important matter prepared by a business partner.

As the years passed, I moved on into other areas and we unfortunately lost touch. I always meant to express my deep gratitude to him for everything he taught me.

Sadly, I feel I never did it the way I should have.

Tom’s accomplishments, enjoyment of life and ability to forgive were all extraordinary given his childhood. He helped our friends with conservation in Africa and advised Astro physicists while building one of the worlds largest radio telescopes. 

He and beautiful Ann stayed in our home for the Olympics and Desmond and I stayed in theirs. We had many travels together over decades. 

We danced at dawn in Beijing, salsa in Havana,  break dance in Nairobi, rave in London. We  fought over feeding stray dogs en route to Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka. 

If memory is a form of control I won’t add to a crowd and will stop here until we meet again my dear friend.  It’s been said that nothing is more creative than death,  it’s the whole secret of life.

I met Tom through our mutual dear friend and my partner in business Robbert Aarts.  It must have been at AFM one year in the early 2000s.   I was living in Nashville, working on building out a music royalty business with Robbert and his partner Niels.   I think the massive grin he had and his mischievous shining eyes were visible from a 100 feet away in a crowded bar.   What a zest for life Tom had.   I can't think of a better example of a truly fully lived and giving life in all facets than Tom Garvin.   I can truthfully say I always wish I had the guts to live as all out as Tom always seemed to.     

What is amazing is that at the time we met (and for a while after) I was really a nobody from nowhere working on a project for a friend of his.    No matter.  One dinner with Tom, and a friend of his friend WAS his friend.   He came to my defense (literally) in some of the lowest times of my life and I am grateful to have known him and jealous of his passion, wit, charm, intellect and full on pursuit of life.   What a great example of a human life well lived.

There is that time at the Hollywood Bowl that Robbert and Joe Woolf will remember as the time we nearly got tossed due to the failure to respect the opening of the symphony as we were sitting backwards and could not stop laughing every time we looked up at each other.   It felt like being back in school with friends and just feeling silly and joyous.   That is one thing that Tom could help you do for sure.

From the first moment, I heard my husband Robbert speaking about this special lawyer Tom, who he met somewhere during his trips to LA and Cannes, I knew this guy must be special. 

In the years to follow I got the picture…. Not only very bright, joyful, charming and very very intelligent this man, as we often joked:   the brother Robbert never wanted to have, but Tom ‘sort of’  came to be walked into our family life as well. We spent hours at the dining table or at other events … all so memorable! Our growing family came close to Tom… maybe a bit to close when Tom one time visited us and our son Pieter ( still a baby) surprised Tom with the real Dutch chicken-pox which, arriving back home in US , kept him in quarantine for several weeks. Not the souvenir you want to take home. 

We - the complete Aarts family - always loved to have Tom around. Because Robbert spends so much time in LA,  Tom - when nearing our friends in Holland- referred  to himself as ‘Robbert’s bearded wife in LA ‘.  

So Tom became a dear family friend, always so interested in the things going on since his last visit and goals of all of us. 

Off course when we visited LA with each one of our kids ( after high school they were free to chose any destination for a ‘exclusive’ trip with ‘The Parents’ - they all choose LA ) we had wonderfull evenings with Tom and lovely Ann. 

We will miss the funny birthday calls from Tom… he was so involved and caring!

It really is a loss for us and specially Robbert.  Robbert was very sad after Ann’s phone call that Tom was not going to overcome his last injury. We were all devastated. May he rest in peace. 

Ann, we love you too!!! 

Tom and I were law partners for several years.  After we each left Ervin Cohen & Jessup to start the next chapter of our respective lives, Tom and I frequently worked together on matters for his clients.  Tom was creative, passionate, fun loving, indefatigable (always assisted by a B12 or similar injection after a night we shared of significant drinking and little sleep), and a tenacious advocate for his clients.  Tom was interested in, and a citizen of, the world.  His charitable work in Africa and elsewhere reflected his commitment to, and love of, others.  My life was richer for having known and worked with him.  I hope I was able to add a little to his too short existence.  My deepest condolences to his partner and soulmate Ann.

Eddie Woods

I was fortunate to know Tom as part of the International Bar Association Intellectual Property and Entertainment Committee where we had many happy meetings, involving much wine and laughter. One event in particular stands out in New Zealand where the two of us almost single handed bought out the wine cellar of the restaurant. Tom was also a sailor and we had good fun sailing together in various places in the world.  Tom was always a more than generous host and always arranged great parties. He will be missed.