Born in London on July 26, 1949, Thomas was deeply rooted in the cinematic world from an early age. His father, Ralph Thomas, was a director with over 40 films to his name, including 'The 39 Steps' and the 'Doctor' franchise, while his uncle, Gerald Thomas, helmed the beloved 'Carry On' series.

Following in his family's footsteps, Jeremy Thomas forged his own path, establishing the Recorded Picture Company and later co-founding HanWay Films. Over a distinguished career, he produced more than 80 feature films, collaborating with an impressive roster of celebrated filmmakers such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Jonathan Glazer, David Cronenberg, Christopher Hampton, and Nagisa Oshima.

His most celebrated achievement came with Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 masterpiece, 'The Last Emperor.' The film famously dominated the Academy Awards, securing nine Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture, and also earned the BAFTA for Best Film. Thomas's significant contributions to cinema were further recognized in 2006 when he received a European Film Award for outstanding European achievement in world cinema.

Beyond 'The Last Emperor,' Thomas’s extensive producing credits include a diverse array of critically acclaimed films, such as David Cronenberg’s visceral 'Crash,' Christopher Hampton’s 'A Dangerous Method,' Jonathan Glazer’s gritty 'Sexy Beast,' and Nagisa Oshima’s poignant 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.' In addition to his producing prowess, Thomas also stepped into the director's chair for the 1998 feature 'All the Little Animals,' starring Christian Bale and John Hurt.

Reflecting on his career at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2025, Thomas shared insights into the evolving industry: “I was at the tail end of the golden age of cinema, when films made money in the cinema before VHS was even thought about. That’s where I come from. And to continue working, to continue being relevant, I have to mutate. And that’s a fact, and I accept it.”

News of Thomas’s passing arrived as two of his produced films were making waves on the fall festival circuit. Werner Herzog’s 'Bucking Fastard' was in competition at the 83rd Venice Film Festival, and Takashi Miike’s 'Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo' was set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, a testament to his enduring impact on global cinema.