Renowned Filmmaker Andrea Blaugrund Nevins Dies at 63

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Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, a renowned documentary filmmaker who earned both an Oscar nomination and an Emmy award, passed away from breast cancer on April 12 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 63 years old.

In her role as a director, producer, and scriptwriter, Blaugrund Nevins explored diverse topics spanning from Barbie’s enduring influence to the challenges faced by retiring NFL players throughout her career. Known for her distinctive choices and a strong passion for supporting the underserved, she recently unveiled the 2023 documentary “The Cowboy and the Queen,” distributed by Greenwich Entertainment. This film tells the captivating story of an unusual bond between Queen Elizabeth II and California horse trader Monty Roberts.

The movie ‘The Other F Word,’ which premiered at the 2011 SXSW festival and is an independent production, focuses on the lives of punk rock artists as they transition into fatherhood. On the other hand, ‘Tiny Shoulders’ is a post-feminist examination delving into the cultural impact of Mattel’s iconic Barbie doll.

Andrea was an exceptional storyteller who established genuine connections with the subjects of her films. She masterfully combined compelling tales of empowerment, courage, and the intricate nature of unanticipated human relationships,” noted Kim Culmone, senior VP and global head of Barbie and doll design for Mattel, who collaborated closely with Blaugrund Nevins on the project. “She possessed a remarkable ability to subtly foster trust that enabled profound truths to be portrayed on screen. She viewed the world through the lens of purpose and optimism, firmly convinced that art and compassion could reshape the world.

In 2011, during the screening of “The Other F Word” at SXSW, Blaugrund Nevins shared with EbMaster her reasons for being captivated by the tales of punk rock fathers.

Initially, we anticipated this would be a hilarious experience. However, the punk rock father – quite unexpected – embodies the opposite of his rebellious persona, assuming an authoritative role. Yet, far from what we expected, it wasn’t like that at all. Instead, witnessing these men grapple with fatherhood and express their feelings about it was surprisingly emotional for us.

In addition to working on “Hysterical: The Future of Comedy is Female,” a documentary that premiered on FX in 2021, Blaugrund Nevins has been involved with other projects such as the 2015 sports documentary “Play It Forward” on Showtime and an episode from the 2014 season of HBO’s sports documentary series “State of Play.” Her work on the documentary short film “Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies,” which was released in 1997, even earned her an Oscar nomination.

For almost three decades, Blaugrund Nevins was married to David Nevins, a former Showtime chief and current senior executive at Paramount Global. Known for her accomplishments as a filmmaker, she also made significant contributions to philanthropy, education, and various other causes. On the red carpet, she stood out with her unique style, frequently donning vintage clothing or showcasing garments from emerging designers.

1962 saw the birth of Blaugrund Nevins in New York City. Surrounded by arts and culture from an early age, she nurtured passions for ballet, poetry, photography, and swimming. As president of The Chapin School in Manhattan, she graduated high school with distinction. Later, she earned her degree with honors from Harvard University.

Following her college graduation, Blaugrund Nevins embarked on a career as a journalist with NPR and ABC News in New York City. Her outstanding work, particularly on an A&E documentary about Hillary Clinton, which she produced, garnered her a News and Documentary Emmy Award. In 1996, she tied the knot with David Nevins.

Beyond her work in filmmaking, Blaugrund Nevins actively engaged in community and charitable organizations in Los Angeles. Alongside her husband, she helped establish IKAR Synagogue, and founded Larchmont Charter School. She served on the Southern California board and Executive Committee of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and was also a founder of X Fund, which addresses the needs of women and girls in Los Angeles.

People recall Blaugrund Nevins as a talented author, a loving mom and spouse with a passion for films, her beloved pets Phoebe and Frank, and strolls along Montecito’s shoreline.

Besides her spouse, Blaugrund Nevins is also mourned by their trio of grown-up offspring, which include daughter Clara and sons Charlie and Jesse.

The family requests that donations be made in Blaugrund Nevins’ name to X Fund.

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In March 2011, EbMaster highlighted Andrea Blaugrund Nevins’ project, “The Other F Word.”

EbMaster showcased Andrea Blaugrund Nevins’ work with a March 2011 article on “The Other F Word.

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2025-04-14 21:47