Lawrence Turman, a producer of films including the Oscar-winning The Graduate and longtime chair of the Peter Stark Producing program at the University of Southern California, died Saturday at the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills. He was 96.

Turman’s producing career spanned over 50 years, during which he worked on a wide range of films, including I Could Go On Singing, The Best Man, The Great White Hope, and Pretty Poison. He is perhaps best known for his work on The Graduate, which he produced after finding Charles Webb’s book and working to put together financing and casting. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Best Director for Mike Nichols.

In 1974, Turman formed Turman-Foster Company with David Foster, and went on to produce films such as The Drowning Pool, Heroes, Caveman, John Carpenter’s The Thing, Running Scared, the 1994 remake of The Getaway, and The River Wild. He continued producing into the 2000s with films such as American History X.

Turman also served as director of USC’s Peter Stark Producing program from 1991 until he retired in 2021. In that role, he helped to train and mentor generations of aspiring producers.

Turman was known for his strong relationships with writers, such as with William Goldman when he was writing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He was also a generous philanthropist, and donated to a number of educational and charitable organizations.

Turman is survived by his three sons, John, Andrew, and Peter; four grandchildren; and two nieces.

A service will be held at the Motion Picture Home at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Larry Turman Endowed Fund for the Peter Stark Program – USC School of Cinematic Arts.