Roberto Orci Dies: ‘Star Trek’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Writer-Producer Was 51
Roberto “Bob” Gaston Orci, a writer-producer who worked on some of the biggest action-adventure and sci-fi movies and television shows from the first two decades of the century, died at his home in Los Angeles today, Feb. 25, after a battle with kidney disease. He was 51.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Orci moved to the United States with his family when he was 10. He started off as a writer-producer on Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and for most of his career was partnered with Alex Kurtzman.
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Orci was co-writer/producer on the 2009 Star Trek movie reboot and its two sequels as well as on the 2007 Transformers movie and the 2009 followup Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Orci’s feature credits also include writing work on Mission Impossible III and The Legend Of Zorro and producing on the Now You See Me franchise, The Proposal, Eagle Eye, The Mummy as well as The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which he also co-wrote.
In television, Orci was co-creator/executive producer on CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot and on Fox’s Fringe and Sleepy Hollow. He also worked on ABC’s Alias and CBS’ Scorpion. Orci had been on his own since K/O Paper Products, his company with Kurtzman, was dissolved in 2016. His most recent venture was Rubber Room Media, a writer-driven production company.
“Everyone at Fox is saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Roberto Orci,” the network said in a statement. “He was an incredibly talented creator, writer and executive producer, especially known at Fox for being part of the creative team behind our wonderful, groundbreaking sci-fi inspired dramas Fringe and Sleepy Hollow. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Bob’s family and loved ones at this time.
Orci, who was public about his past struggles with alcoholism and his recovery, is survived by his father Roberto Orci Sr., mother Macuqui Robau-Garcia, stepmom Jeanine Orci, siblings J.R Orci, Taylor Orci, and Courtney Ford, and his dog Bogey.
“He was a visionary storyteller with a boundless heart and a beautiful soul,” J.R. Orci said. “But beyond his creative talents, he was a compassionate friend who would put his life on hold to help a stranger and find room in his home for the most overlooked pup at the shelter.”
At the time of his death, Orci and his estranged wife, actress Adele Heather Taylor, had dueling lawsuits pending, each accusing the other of assault and abuse.
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