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Lawrence Mortorff: A Multifaceted Career in Law and Entertainment

Lawrence Mortorff: A Multifaceted Career in Law and Entertainment

Early Life and Education

On March 6, 1948, Lawrence Paul Mortorff was born in San Bernardino, California. He started his academic career by getting a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1970. Three years later, he got a Juris Doctor (JD) from UCLA Law School.

Career in Law and Entertainment

Legal Career

Mortorff first worked as a lawyer at well-known law firms. He worked at Kaplan & Livingston from 1972 to 1976. Then, from 1976 to 1978, he worked at Pollock, Rigard & Bloom in Beverly Hills, California.

Transition into Entertainment

In the late 1970s, Mortorff pivoted to the entertainment industry. He held several significant executive roles including:

ICM (1978–1981)
Keith Barish Television (1981–1982)
Scotti Brothers Films (President, 1985–1986)
International Sales Org (President, 1989–1990)
Kyshman Locke Features (President, 1993–1996)

His journey from lawyer to film executive laid the groundwork for a successful career in the film industry.

Film Production Career

Mortorff’s most notable work in the film industry has been as a producer, executive producer, and co-executive producer. He began his production career in 1984 with the TV movie Sentimental Journey and went on to produce over 20 films. His well-known credits include:

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
Pure Country 2: The Gift (2010)
The Omega Code (1999)
Children of the Corn II (1993)
The Jungle Book (1994)
Andre (1994)
One Night with the King (2006)
Dead for a Dollar (2022)

He also acted in small roles in films like Hellraiser III and Full Eclipse, and directed the thriller Deadly Exposure (1993).

Personal Life and Family

Family Background

Lawrence Mortorff is the son of Raymond Vernon Mortorff and Mary Elizabeth (née Rudolph) Mortorff. He has three children: Morgan, Emily, and Lily Mortorff.

Marital History

Mortorff was married to actress Lindsay Wagner, known for her role in The Bionic Woman. They were married from May 6, 1990, to 1993 and have one child together.

Career Today

Current Professional Focus

Mortorff is still working in both the legal and entertainment fields as of 2022. He is now a film lawyer and executive producer at Mortorff Law, which has offices in Rancho Mirage and Santa Monica. He has worked on a lot of projects lately, including producing Dead for a Dollar (2022) and being the executive producer for The Ghost Trap and The Ex-press (2016–2023).

Board Memberships

Mortorff serves as a board director at Paulist Films (since 1988) and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (since 1996), contributing his expertise to both film and environmental sectors.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Mortorff’s exact net worth is not known, but his long career in law and entertainment, as well as his work on several boards, suggest that he is in good financial shape. His long career making both popular and niche films has helped him become very rich.

Recent Projects

Dead for a Dollar (2022) – Associate/Executive Producer
The Ghost Trap (2022–2023) – Executive Producer
Gone Are the Days (2018) – Executive Producer
Compulsion (2016) – Executive Producer

These recent projects highlight his continued involvement in the film industry, where he remains a key figure.

FAQ

1. What is Lawrence Mortorff’s educational background?

Mortorff earned a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1970 and a Juris Doctor from UCLA in 1973.

2. How did Lawrence Mortorff transition from law to film?

After practicing law in Beverly Hills, Mortorff shifted to the entertainment industry, taking on key executive roles at various film production companies.

3. What are some notable films produced by Lawrence Mortorff?

Some of Mortorff’s notable film productions include Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), Pure Country 2: The Gift (2010), and The Omega Code (1999).