Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Henry Deas III, a longtime Variety advertising sales executive who specialized in film festivals and international markets, died Aug.
6 in Culver City. He was 75. Deas was known throughout the entertainment industry for his love of film. He was an expert on the world’s largest film festivals and had an encylopedic knowledge of filmmakers around the world.
Deas was a perpetual optimist who was rarely seen without a broad smile on his face. “Henry Deas loved the independent film business and, the industry loved him right back,” said Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, Variety Group Publisher and CEO, who worked closely with Deas and considered him a mentor. “Henry thrived on doing right by his clients and they appreciated and supported him throughout his career and life beyond the office.
We will forever miss our loving gentleman and Cannes legend. There was never a kinder soul, nor a dearer friend to so many,” Sobrino-Stearns said.
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