41 responses so far ↓

• 1 Alicia Hollinger // Jun 23, 2012 at 4:54 pm

  I am so completely shocked right now… We were great friends and back in his Hollywood Reporter days spent so much time together. I even went camping with him. I would NEVER normally go camping but he made it sound fun. We had a LOT of crazy adventures together and he really knew how to live life to the fullest. I think he was actually a bit of a genius, so witty and able to get his work done under conditions that most people wouldn’t be able to. So sad. I will miss him…

• 2 David Mirsky // Jun 23, 2012 at 8:18 pm

  I am sadden to hear of Jeffrey’s passing. He was a great friend, and a mentor to me at HT.net. He taught me how to write my racing articles, and encouraged me to become a better writer.
  I will miss his brilliance and antics.

• 3 Clinton.H.Wallace // Jun 23, 2012 at 11:43 pm

  I am very sad to hear of Jeffrey’s passing. Jeffrey was a great advisor to me when i first started as a special events journalist in Hollywood, he showed me the ropes at Sundance, how to schmooze at AFM and how to expertly navigate Cannes. Jeffrey was very quirky and sarcastic which made him fun to hang out with, Jeffrey was a great write and numerous people in Hollywood benefited from his expertise
  I will miss him. My heart goes out to his beautiful sister, who cherished him so, and the rest of his family and friends. May the universe smile upon Jeffrey Jolson.

• 4 Gregory Lester Stuart // Jun 24, 2012 at 12:54 am

  I am in shock, and so saddened to hear about the death of an old friend, Jeffrey Jolson. I agree with Alicia Hollinger – Jeffrey was a genius. I knew him as a bon vivant who hosted 3 birthday parties each year, huge fetes, filled with friends, in Cannes, Milan, & LA. Jeffrey was the most interesting man in the room, in most rooms. He will be missed dearly, by many of us who were lucky to have known him through his highs & lows. I am so, so sorry he is gone.

• 5 Glenn A // Jun 24, 2012 at 1:03 am

  Sympathies to Jeffrey’s family. He lived large and made many, many friends along the way. One of the best dry humors in the business. The King of Cannes will never be forgotten.

• 6 Keith Williams // Jun 24, 2012 at 2:34 am

  Shocked to hear of this news. I knew him as JJ whilst writing box office reports for HT and his comments were always pertinent and fun. Another legend passes.

• 7 Scott Hettrick // Jun 24, 2012 at 7:39 am

  Ugh, terrible news. One of the industry’s true personalities. After six years working with him at The Hollywood Reporter, our paths diverged for nearly a decade but he didn’t hesitate for a second to call me out of the blue exactly three years ago, when Michael Jackson died, to ask me to help him out by meeting him at a hotel in a couple hours to provide him with background info and videotape Jeffrey interviewing Joe Jackson about a new Blu-ray project. It was a typically major coup for Jeffrey to arrange a personal interview of that magnitude as the Jackson family was the biggest story in the world that week. I agreed immediately, equally anxious to see Jeffrey again. He hadn’t changed a bit; he arrived so late and in such bad shape that he asked me to do the interview myself on the fly. Only the disarmingly charming Jeffrey could do something like that and have everyone hugging him instead of yelling at him (though there was some yelling as well).
  It wound up being my one and only Hollywood Today story and video: http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/06/30/joe-jackson-gives-exclusive-details-of-new-blu-ray-company-to-hollywood-today/#more-10114.
  I was so happy Jeffrey didn’t think twice about calling me, and very happy to that I could be there for him. True to his character, he showed his gratitude by giving me sole byline on the story for which he did all the leg work.
  Stay thirsty, my friend.

• 8 Susanne // Jun 24, 2012 at 10:29 am

  Sad news. Jeffrey was a colorful friend during my years at The Hollywood Reporter. He was an asset to any social event and a brilliant reporter when he wasn’t living in the fast lane. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

• 9 valerie // Jun 24, 2012 at 11:07 am

  It was a joy and pleasure working with him for the past 3 years @ HT. May Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn RIP. I think the site should go dark in rememberance of him on the burial day.

• 10 jeffrey mitchell // Jun 24, 2012 at 11:16 am

  please contact me regarding this terrible loss I am devasted and I need to talk to all the hollywoodtoday.net about our loss its heart breaking… please get in touch so we can send him off with the grace he deserves ,deep thought and our love….a rememberancen of when we were innocent kids together efor these thries and caeless salliwgs enter his life,,,,,,I an=m cushed by the loss of my somethingkine 40 yr friend and I feel terrible that I left him at the end of his lifr but it was unbearable…pleas rememember him for he bright boy hr ws abd decent fellow down deep in his heart,,,,of god please wrap your arms aound him and bring him peace at last a great losss of an innovative talentd journalist,,,please all Hollywood oday witers and esoecially Eric call me so we can plan a memorial for him,,,,,again I an devastated, nadine , for you and your father there simply are no words but my love ab=nd condolenses are here waiting shoukd you need me for any prt of his service, what a trulyb devastating way to start the summer..he was surrounded by these ash people whom he would allow to take meth of whtever its clld and injet thenselves till they wer black nd blue….Jeffrey,,,,your free of that now,,,,rest east swet sul and know youhad a friend as always forever …although we hadnt seen each other because of the situation over there..I still love you my friend,,,,,and wish you the best from my heart,,, Jeffrey Mitchel you shall from your goodness go to heaven, l’m rambling this is too much shock……..

• 11 katharine Kramer // Jun 24, 2012 at 11:22 am

  So sorry to hear of his passing. He always had so much enthusiasm. He will be missed.

• 12 Corey Levitan // Jun 24, 2012 at 11:29 am

  Goodbye, old friend. I know this was not your choice.

• 13 Mary Jean // Jun 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm

  May “Hollywood Today” Live on,
  just as he would have wished!
  Sorry for your Loss. Dont change a bit . Rock ON!

• 14 Anita Busch // Jun 24, 2012 at 1:21 pm

  Jeffrey had a big heart. Many of us tried to help him because of it. He was kind to me. And you don’t forget kindness, do you.

  Jeffrey Mitchell, please keep us posted about the memorial. Thank you.

• 15 Jeff Daniels // Jun 24, 2012 at 2:40 pm

  Sad to hear about Jeffrey’s passing. I worked with him at The Hollywood Reporter for many years, and he was a great guy. Hard working, always willing to lend a hand, and fun to be around. My condolences go out to his family.

• 16 Laurie D Muslow // Jun 24, 2012 at 4:17 pm

  I was shocked to hear this news. Jeffrey was always someone that could make you smile.. even when you thought
  you couldn’t. He was a dear friend, a wonderful man and
  a brilliant writer. To know Jeffrey was a true Blessing.
  Heaven just got another GREAT ANGEL.
  LDM

• 17 Carl DiOrio // Jun 24, 2012 at 4:22 pm

  Deepest condolences to all of Jeffrey’s family and friends. He was a pal and great colleague. I can see his big, bright grin even now …

• 18 Marci Weiner // Jun 24, 2012 at 4:37 pm

  So shocked and sorry to learn of Jeffrey’s passing. It was a pleasure to work with him for the past year or so – and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to know and respect his intelligence and wit.

• 19 DT // Jun 24, 2012 at 9:37 pm

  Truly saddened by the loss of Jeff. He was a mentor to me. I spoke of him always as an “absolute genius” , one of the last dying breed of good old fashioned “journalists”. And lets face it folks, if you went in a room with Jeffrey, there was going to be some sparks of energy and fun. He was so sarcastic sometimes which is what made him so witty and funny. If you were new working with him, get thick skin because he had some funny but honest stuff to layout sometimes, it was all part of learning from a master. A one of a kind guy for sure, there is noone like in in Hollywood. My favorite picture of him was him in the Pirates outfit on the boat. That was Jeffrey all the way. One day he told me, I will destroy you if you mess with me the next day he hugged me and told me I made him proud, this is part of his character that made him so hilarious at times because when he said he would destroy me what he meant was that if I was that dumb to not recognize what journalist did, I was an idiot. We will miss you a ton Jeffrey. I have some really funny stories to share with your friends and family.

• 20 Jeff Marinelli // Jun 24, 2012 at 9:45 pm

  As the founder of Art and Living Jeffery and I had many great talks on creating.. Jeffery had such passion to create.. Such Vision to create but most of all such love to create..

  My heart goes out to his family.

  Jeffery will be missed..

  Jeff Marinelli

• 21 Brian Zink // Jun 24, 2012 at 11:06 pm

  Brian Zink
  I’m surprised and saddened by Jeffery’s passing. He mentored me along so many others in writing. Always positive and able to make our stories better when available. I especially enjoyed his creative ability to bring a different view to our world in a positive ways. I look forward to his work continuing through all the people he has bought together and mentored as founder of Hollywood Today Magazine. Jeffery you will truly be missed !

• 22 Dawna Shuman // Jun 25, 2012 at 4:35 am

  I left a comment last night and didn’t see it posted…wanted to make sure that it was reviewed. I’ve known Jeffrey for over 32 years and saddened to hear about his passing…assuming you will be posted about his memorial?
  Dawna Shuman

• 23 Donna Balancia // Jun 25, 2012 at 6:18 am

  It was amazing that you could be with Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn in the middle of nowhere and some celebrity or reclusive rocker would run up to him to say hi. His talent amazed me, he stuck by me in tough times and he was a dear friend who left us way too soon.

• 24 Lee Jones // Jun 25, 2012 at 6:46 am

  I remember Jeffery, myself and two dates at a three hour lunch on the patio at the Silver Spoon. Great insight and wit prevailed! He was a true genius and his insights regarding human potential were inspiring. I remember photographing one of his L.A. Birthday parties. His spirit lives on in those he touched!

• 25 Debbie Dutch // Jun 25, 2012 at 8:50 am

  I’m so sad to hear of the passing of Jeffery.He was a WONDERFUL man & such a fun,loyal,loving,giving Spirit with a beautiful Big heart.I’m honored & blessed to have him as my friend,& Jeffery will b in my heart 4ever.Farewell Dear Jeffery,Thank-you 4 your friendship,we will miss you & Hollywood has lost a legend. I see your smiling face as you embark on your journey to enlightenment.All Love & Blessiungs,Debbie

• 26 Debbie Dutch // Jun 25, 2012 at 8:59 am

  JEFFREY,Sending you All Love,Light & Blessings…

• 27 Alex Ben Block // Jun 25, 2012 at 10:52 am

  It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of my friend Jeffrey Jolson Colburn. I worked with him at The Hollywood Reporter and at Hollywood Today and he was always a man of great passion, ideas and in his way, idealism. He knew more about music and movies than most anyone I ever knew, and had a great heart and soul. He wa a man with his own devils, but in his way he was an angel to all those who came into his life and were lucky enough to be touched by his charm, good humor and kind heart. My condolences to his family and friends for this great loss.

• 28 David Robb // Jun 25, 2012 at 3:52 pm

  When a reporter dies, he takes his stories with him, but he leaves his friends behind.
  Jeffrey had lots of both.
  So long, pal. You’ll be missed.

• 29 D.C. // Jun 25, 2012 at 7:27 pm

  Jeffrey was one of the first reporters to give us a hand as we struggled to re-brand THR, back in not-so-long-ago-antique-times, when the web meant something spun by a spider and the pub still had a few clattering typewriters around, punctuating the din of busy reporters rushing to meet deadlines for a daily trade paper. Amidst the controlled chaos, he always found time to share knowledge. Flamboyant, be-caped and above all, friendly, he was always willing to help. Too young. Too soon.

  RIP, JJC.

• 30 Paul Fig Fegen // Jun 25, 2012 at 10:57 pm

  My sympathy to Jeff’s family & friends. Jeff has many friends and everyone loved Jeff. Jeff loved everyone and loved my parties where he met many new friends. Many, many people will miss JEFFREY JOLSON-COLBURN.

• 31 MacAfrica // Jun 26, 2012 at 1:56 am

  I am so shocked and so very upset to hear about Jeffrey’s passing. I had the great pleasure of having a few lunches with Jeffrey, he attended a number of my events, and we spoke sometimes for hours on the phone. I have lost a great ally. He loved my promotions, and believed in me as a promoter, and always wrote such wonderful things about me. What a brilliant, unusual, hard working and talented journalist with such a vision, who was loved by all.
  The universe has lost a great, colorful, witty, wonderful man.

  What a great loss to me and all the people that were lucky enough to have had the pleasure of knowing him.

  You will be sorely missed Jeffrey.

  My deepest condolences to his family. Please let me know the details of the memorial service.

• 32 Steven J. Zuckerman // Jun 27, 2012 at 12:10 pm

  What a shocker! RIP my friend. I remember meeting Jeffrey 25 years ago or so in NYC when he asked me to do three interviews for one of the magazines…….JJ was kind to me then and he was kind to met recently. It is always great to have nice people in our lives. We will all miss you.

• 33 ellen // Jun 27, 2012 at 2:26 pm

  I’m so shocked and so sad to hear the passing of an old love and continued friend for the past twenty years…. no matter where we, I lived in the world we were always in-touch… my heart sank and missed a beat as I just read and found out moments ago.

• 34 Former Hollywood Reporter Music Editor Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn Has Dead - FishbowlLA // Jun 27, 2012 at 4:51 pm

  [...] Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn passed away on June 23 at his Los Angeles home. News of his death broke on Hollywood Today, a website founded by Jolson-Colburn in 2006. The cause of death has not been reported. He was in [...]

• 35 Ron Keller // Jun 29, 2012 at 5:09 am

  I grew up with Jeffrey and Nadine. Jeffrey was one of a kind. He had heart, He loved the Arts, Music, and everything Hollywood. We all grew up in the thick of it in the 70′s and 80′s. I was shocked to hear about Jeffrey, and my heart goes out to Nadine his Sister who Loved
  Him so. Jeff had so much energy and enthusiasm for life,
  We all have our demons He had His. He has passed on to a better place now, I will miss him. My most sincere condolences to Nadine and Family. Love, Ronnie Keller

• 36 emma Trevor-small // Jun 29, 2012 at 3:58 pm

  Dear darling Jeffrey, the sweetest soul ever, always thought so, always knew so-so glad that I was lucky enough to know him and to have so much fun with him…..ridiculous drunken rides over hills to cantinas and the ridiculously funny rides back! The wonderfully silly camping expeditions……That gorgeous smile and that beautiful voice..and that great talent …..all gone..so sad..loved him very much …only wish I had seen more of him over the years. God bless him.

  Much love Emmaxxxxxx

• 37 AneHoward // Jul 1, 2012 at 12:39 am

  I have been under such shock and pain at the news of his death. I have spent the last 7 years of arguing, laughing and arguing some more with Jeffrey on a weekly basis. I am going to miss him so much. Jeffrey has taught me a great deal about being a journalist, finding the story and digging deeper. I owe him so much.
  Jeffrey, we were supposed to grow old together. You SOB, I love you to death. I’ll catch you later my friend. Love, Ane

• 38 David Blake // Jul 1, 2012 at 6:06 am

  Jeffrey Jolson – RIP

  I suspected something might be wrong last month when a BBC producer chum going to LA for the first time asked me to introduce him to a few of my friends. There was a time when Jeffrey would have known everything worth doing that week. Unusually, there was no response from Jeffrey to our emails or phone calls. ‘Probably gone on a bender’ was the ominous feedback. Jeffrey had that bizarre ability to write like an angel no matter what shape he was in. His front page headlines usually led into intensely factual, accurate and entertaining first paragraphs. He could be a highly professional journalist, always enjoying the challenge of deadline pressures and the respect of his writer peers – not that there were many!

  His brief to cover both music and film gave him a keen overview and an uncanny grasp of industry power dynamics – ‘who get’s the jets’ was his way of deciding on who’s who…

  I have just read the blogs from everyone and feel so proud of him. Jeffrey was Godfather to my son Rory Blake. My ex wife Emma adored him and this responsibility was one of the main things that we both wholeheartedly agreed on. Sorry Rory but I hope you will read the blogs and understand!

  Larger than life doesn’t do it! How many Grammy parties could Jeffrey cover? Not only did he knowledgeably collect all the inside news, as he rated the parties and imbibed. Sometimes I went too – ‘you rent the limo – I’ll get us in’. He loved being liked and when he walked up to Bruce Springsteen at the Peninsula Bar there was no doubt that even the Boss was reading Jeffrey!

  He took me to amazing events like the opening of the original Hard Rock in Las Vegas in 1990 when he discovered how easy it was to climb across the balconies during the after party. How we both ended up with the Las Vegas Fire Department bringing in the dawn in the desert that night, I don’t remember – but his story made the HR deadline! Iggy Pop had launched himself into our front row seats when he recognised Jeffrey holding one of his little white notebooks, which he often lost. It didn’t matter, he remembered every detail. He knew more about film and music than almost anyone I knew. I think he was for some time given both Music Editor and Film Editor titles at the Reporter.

  Camping with Jeffrey was perilous, floating (not rafting), hung over, down the Kern rapids on inner tubes. All the alcohol for the three day weekend having been consumed by the Friday night. I know, I was definitely part of the problem then but I did try to help him with AA meetings which he found difficult.

  Cannes festivals, where Jeffrey’s birthday would be held at the hottest/coolest newest club in town, would then rate a mention in the paper – well earned for the damage sustained. He was not beneath taking a birthday bash in exchange for a review and having invented the four ‘martini glass’ rating system, he was always welcomed back the following year. He certainly contributed to the transition of Cannes from being a staid, somewhat serious stuffy film event, into the international social whirl that it has now become. The French should award him a Legion d’Honneur for services to the South of France – for years every subscriber to the Hollywood Reporter back in LA would wonder what they were missing.

  He almost made the annual November Milan Mifed film market interesting, once trying to drive a go-kart out of the popular circus enclosure in the pouring rain.

  He fought to keep his reputation for integrity – I remember his refusal to publish a story about a film exec, locked out of his office due to baseless bribery allegations from an ambitious colleague, chasing the job. Jeffrey waited for the facts, when some of the other trades did not.

  This was just one of the reasons that he was so popular with the independent film community. He always tried to write positively, if he could, never stooping to be snide or derogatory to get an easy headline. He just had so much respect for talent. He berated me for not appreciating rap music in its early days, correctly predicting that it would be the ‘dominant music form of the decade’. He respected perfectionists – counting Madonna and Michael Jackson’s concerts as the benchmark for LA choreographers. Infuriatingly he played the still unknown Alanis Morissette’s JAGGED LITTLE PILL over and over for anyone who would listen because ‘she expresses her emotions fully and fearlessly’ – he knew all the lyrics.

  Always combative – he even tried (unsuccessfully!) to convince the LA British Consul that a baseball was harder than a cricket ball, forcing the entire Bafta garden party to seek shelter while they proceeded to compare levels of pain infliction.

  One of the best beach Cannes parties ever was the one that Jeffrey put together in 2005 to launch Julian Lennon’s remarkable WHALEDREAMERS documentary. Jeffrey loved whales and dolphins and threw himself into boosting enough ‘sponsored’ Vodka, Champagne etc. to keep 1500 people going until the police closed us down at 3am.

  He would have told me this piece was 70% too long and he would have been wrong because I am writing this for Nadine, Jeffrey’s Dad, my son Rory, me and anyone else who will remember what a joy he could be! Good luck to everyone at http://www.hollywoodtoday.net – he was so proud of it.

• 39 Marjorie Brown // Jul 2, 2012 at 4:10 pm

  I’ve known Jeffrey since I was 14 and he was 19? I always had the biggest crush on him throughout high school and he knew it.
  We had many laughs together and I will surely miss him.

  I will love you always, Hubby
  and will see you soon my angel.

• 40 Leesa Rowland // Jul 7, 2012 at 10:26 am

  Wow. Jeffrey!! I’m shocked by the news. God bless you, Jeffrey and keep you safe and happy. You lived life to the fullest, darling!! See you on the other side!! Your light shines on!!

• 41 megan // Jul 26, 2012 at 5:49 am

  Jefrey Jolson
  taught me a lot
  he taught me how to love and make it be all right to get some
  in other words
  he let me help me and took the help well
  i needed to help some one and he heard me
  i think the day i called to ask if i could get him onto treatment fast was the day he saved my life by saying yes
  may i add how heavey that drunk was to carry out of my jalopy and how much i loved doing it
  he responded to the delapatated excuse for a malibu treatment with great enthusiam
  i was so proad of myself
  i did something good
  i was able to keep going forward knowing i had done so
  i went forward with courage imparted from his courage
  this is how we take it a
  a breath at a time
  i loved jeffrey and loved the courage we shared
  i wanted so badley to be able to write and well im just not so tight but atlast my friends and my comrade
  good night
  love
  megan

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