Steve Bing: The Hollywood producer and philanthropist with a 'big heart'

Bing has died at the age of 55
Getty Images
Insider2 July 2020

Tributes are being paid to businessman, philanthropist and film producer Steve Bing , who has died at the age of 55.

News of his death in Los Angeles on Monday was confirmed by his publicist Michelle Bega, who told Sky she was “overwhelmed trying to process this unbelievable and sad event.”

Former US president Bill Clinton, who has been friends with Bing for nearly 20 years, was among those to express sadness at the news. Clinton said on Twitter: “I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in. I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he’s finally found peace.”

Bing leaves two children, Damian, who he shares with actress Liz Hurley, and Kira, his daughter with professional tennis player Lisa Bonder.

Liz Hurley and Steve Bing 

Hurley also addressed his sudden death in an Instagram post: “I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us. It is a terrible end.

“Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.”

Who was Steve Bing?

Bing with Martin Scorsese
Rex/Shutterstock

A businessman and film producer who also became a notable donor to the Democratic party, Stephen Leo Bing was born to Helen, a nurse, and father Peter, a doctor, on March 31, 1965.

He was born into a wealthy family. His grandfather Leo S. Bing (who Steve gets his middle name from) was a real estate magnate who built his fortune in New York in the 1920s with his brother Alexander M. Bing, working with architect Emery Roth on luxury buildings including The Alden and The Southgate Complex.

When Steve was 18 he inherited a fortune of $600 million from his grandfather and left Stanford University to pursue a career in Hollywood.

Hollywood career

Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Guest and Steve Bing
Rex/Shutterstock

In 1994, Bing wrote and directed the film Every Breath, starring The Breakfast Club's Judd Nelson. He founded Shangri-La Entertainment in 2000 with film director Adam Rifkin, a company which spanned entertainment and music as well as property and construction.

The company’s LinkedIn page notes its biggest film credits, including ‘The Polar Express, Martin Scorsese’s Shine A Light and the documentary Marley, about the life of the legendary Bob Marley.’

Bing reportedly invested $80 million in The Polar Express, which starred Tom Hanks. He also co-wrote the screenplay of Kangaroo Jack, a film about a New York hairstylist and musician who attempt to deliver $50,000 of mob money to Austraila, only to find the money is taken by a wild kangaroo.

Bing also worked as a music producer, releasing a Jerry Lee Lewis album. According to Variety he was also helping to back a documentary about Lewis that is currently in development.

Political donations and philanthropy

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Bing also channelled his fortune into charitable and political donations. In 2002 he gave $8.2 million to the Democrative National Committee. He also donated to candidates including Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi. One of his biggest beneficiaries appears to be The Clinton Foundation, which in 2008 listed a donation of $10 - 25 million from Stephen L. Bing.

In 2006 he reportedly donated nearly $50 million of his own money to support Proposition 87, which aimed to raise billions in oil production taxes to fund the development of alternative or ‘clean’ energy production.

According to The Independent, Bing became friends with Bill Clinton in the early Noughties when the pair were seated next to each other at a fundraiser for the Natural Resources Defense Council. In 2009, he lent Clinton his private Boeing 737 - at a personal cost of $200,000 - when the former president flew to collect American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who had been imprisoned in North Korea and sentenced to 12 years of hard labour for crossing into the country from China.

Relationships

Steve Bing and Liz Hurley 

Bing had a relationship with actress Liz Hurley in the early noughties, following her split from the actor Hugh Grant. Though they did not stay together, Hurley gave birth to their son Damian Hurley in 2002.

Damian, who is now 18, addressed the “devastating news” of his father’s death in a post on Instagram: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has reached out following the devastating news. I’m trying to reply to as many of you as I can, but please know I will always remember your kindness. This is a very strange and confusing time and I’m immensely grateful to be surrounded by my phenomenal family and friends.” He wrote the message under a picture of a sunset.

Damian Hurley, the 18-year-old son of Steve Bing

Liz Hurley said that though she and Bing went through "tough times" in the past, the pair had become "close again" in the last year. "In the past year we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages."

Bing also leaves a daughter named Kira, who is now 21. Her mother is former professional tennis player Lisa Bonder.

US reports state Bing died after falling from a building in Los Angeles. He was 55 years old.

For confidential support on mental health call the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or attend a local Samaritans branch.

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