Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harry Montague “Skip” Brittenham II |
| Also Known As | Harry M Brittenham, Skip Brittenham |
| Birth | September 6, 1941, Port Huron, Michigan |
| Death | July 17, 2025 (age 83), after a long illness |
| Education | B.S., United States Air Force Academy (1963); J.D., UCLA School of Law (1970) |
| Military Service | United States Air Force, 1960s |
| Bar Admission | California, 1971 |
| Occupation | Entertainment attorney; co-founder, Ziffren Brittenham LLP (1978) |
| Known For | Pioneering profit-participation deals; representing A-list talent and studio leaders |
| Notable Clients | Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Bruce Willis, Henry Winkler, Steve Jobs, Kevin Feige, Toby Emmerich |
| Boards/Directorships | Pixar, Loews Cineplex, DreamWorks Animation |
| Awards | Spirit of Liberty Award (2007); National Champions Award; Super Lawyers (2005–2023) |
| Creative Work | Co-author, graphic novels Anomaly (2012) and Shifter |
| Personal | Avid fly-fisherman; global competitor and One Fly Tournament winner (1992) |
| Spouse | Heather Thomas (m. 1992–2025) |
| Children | Kristina Lynn; Shauna Leigh (Reiter); India Rose (b. 2000) |
| Siblings | Brother: Bud Brittenham |
| Parent | Harry M. Brittenham Sr. (1916–2005) |
| Residence | Los Angeles; Santa Monica home purchased in 1987 for $2.9 million |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $6.5 million (2013 estimate) |
Early Life and Education
Harry M. “Skip” Brittenham grew up between airfields and open skies, the son of an Air Force fighter pilot whose assignments meant frequent moves. That itinerant childhood forged resilience and a coolness under pressure—traits that later defined his negotiations. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1963, served in the Air Force, and then pivoted to law, earning his J.D. from UCLA in 1970. By 1971, he was admitted to the California Bar, already charting a path toward the epicenter of Hollywood dealmaking.
From Startups to Studio Frontlines: Building Ziffren Brittenham
In 1978, at just 37, Brittenham co-founded Ziffren Brittenham LLP. The firm became a gravitational force in entertainment law, known for fierce yet principled advocacy. Across five decades, he shaped agreements that balanced star power, studio risk, and the emergent economics of franchise-era Hollywood. His approach combined military-grade focus with a diplomat’s touch—steady in crosswinds, precise in execution.
Clients, Deals, and the Profit-Participation Revolution
Brittenham wasn’t merely closing deals; he was reimagining the terms of creative labor. He championed backend participation—profit sharing that allowed actors, writers, and producers to benefit from upside beyond upfront fees. The ripple effects were profound, rewriting incentives for top talent and normalizing compensation frameworks that are now foundational.
| Selected Client | Sphere | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|
| Harrison Ford | Actor | Franchise-level compensation across Indiana Jones-era work |
| Tom Hanks | Actor/Producer | Long-haul backend structures on prestige and blockbuster projects |
| Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor | Comedy Icons | Peak-era negotiation leverage and residuals |
| Kevin Feige, Toby Emmerich | Studio/Executive | Strategic counsel for studio leadership |
| Steve Jobs | Tech/Media | Board and media-ecosystem insight |
His thoughtful calculus—art, audience, and arithmetic—made him the rare lawyer both creatives and executives trusted.
Boards, Awards, and Public Advocacy
Brittenham’s influence extended to boardrooms at Pixar, Loews Cineplex, and DreamWorks Animation, where he helped steer companies through growth and transformation. In 2007, he received the Spirit of Liberty Award, reflecting a public-minded streak that ran parallel to his private practice. Industry honors followed him for nearly two decades, including annual Super Lawyers recognition from 2005 to 2023.
Creative Detours: Graphic Novels and Tech-Enhanced Storytelling
After years of sculpting other people’s stories, Brittenham co-created his own. With Anomaly (2012) and Shifter, he dove into science fiction, blending cinematic scope with augmented-reality flourishes. The books channeled his curiosity—prehistoric creatures, alien terrains, moral stakes—into immersive worlds. It was the dealmaker as dreamer, proving that contract language and speculative fiction can share the same imagination.
On the Water: A Competitor with a Fly Rod
If Hollywood was his office, rivers were his sanctuary. An avid fly-fisherman, Brittenham competed on six continents and won at the 1992 One Fly Tournament, a high-skill test of patience and precision. He and Heather Thomas formed a formidable team; stories of their combined scores and tactical finesse became part of the firm’s lore. Fishing sharpened his instincts: read the current, place the cast, wait for the strike. It’s also how he negotiated.
A Life Anchored in Family
Brittenham’s north star was his family. He married actress and writer Heather Thomas on October 10, 1992—a partnership that spanned 36 years together and 33 years of marriage. Thomas, famed for The Fall Guy and later known for activism and writing, often called him her life’s great fortune.
- Kristina Lynn Brittenham: Lawyer and nonprofit leader focused on early childhood and equity; Co-CEO of Nest Global; married to Skydance Media president Jesse Sisgold; mother of two.
- Shauna Leigh Brittenham (Reiter): Entrepreneur, musician, author; founded Alaya Naturals (2018); released Dreamer’s Dream (2017); wrote the 2024 USA Today bestseller You Are the Boss of You, centering on healing and empowerment.
- India Rose Brittenham (b. June 19, 2000): Artist and emerging philanthropist; low profile, high intention; her tributes to her father reflect a bond built on creativity, kindness, and service.
His brother Bud survives him, as do four grandchildren who carry forward his curiosity and warmth. The family remembers him as compassionate, endlessly inquisitive, and wholly present—whether in a boardroom, a gallery, or beside a quiet stream at dawn.
Selected Timeline
| Year/Date | Age | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1941-09-06 | 0 | Born in Port Huron, Michigan |
| 1963 | 22 | Graduates USAF Academy (B.S.) |
| Late 1960s | — | Air Force service |
| 1970 | 29 | J.D., UCLA School of Law |
| 1971 | 30 | Admitted to California Bar |
| 1978 | 37 | Co-founds Ziffren Brittenham LLP |
| 1987 | 45 | Purchases Santa Monica home for $2.9M |
| 1992-10-10 | 51 | Marries Heather Thomas |
| 1992 | 51 | Wins One Fly Tournament |
| 2000-06-19 | 58 | Daughter India Rose born |
| 2005-06-27 | 63 | Father, Harry M. Sr., passes at 89 |
| 2007 | 65 | Receives Spirit of Liberty Award |
| 2012–2013 | 71–72 | Publishes Anomaly and Shifter |
| 2005–2023 | 64–82 | Annual Super Lawyers recognition |
| 2025-07-17 | 83 | Passes after a long illness |
| 2025-09-07 | 83 | Memorial with industry luminaries |
Final Years and Memorial
Brittenham died on July 17, 2025, at 83. Tributes echoed across Hollywood: gratitude for the deals, admiration for the integrity, and affection for the man who made time for late-night calls and early-morning advice. At his September 7 memorial, friends like Harrison Ford and Henry Winkler gathered alongside colleagues and family. The service, described as “transcendental and beautiful,” felt like his career in miniature—measured, generous, and deeply human. Online, his wife’s and daughters’ messages drew thousands of responses, a testament to how many lives he touched without seeking the spotlight.
FAQ
Who was Harry M Brittenham?
He was a renowned entertainment attorney, co-founder of Ziffren Brittenham LLP, and a key architect of modern profit-participation deals in Hollywood.
When and where was he born?
He was born on September 6, 1941, in Port Huron, Michigan.
When did he pass away and at what age?
He died on July 17, 2025, at the age of 83 after a long illness.
Who was his spouse?
He was married to actress and writer Heather Thomas from 1992 until his death in 2025.
How many children did he have?
He had three daughters: Kristina Lynn, Shauna Leigh (Reiter), and India Rose.
What was his law firm?
He co-founded Ziffren Brittenham LLP in 1978, one of the most influential entertainment law firms in Hollywood.
Which notable clients did he represent?
His roster included Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Bruce Willis, Henry Winkler, Steve Jobs, Kevin Feige, and Toby Emmerich.
What creative works did he publish?
He co-authored the graphic novels Anomaly (2012) and Shifter, blending sci-fi storytelling with augmented reality.
Was he involved in philanthropy and advocacy?
Yes, he supported civic and civil rights causes and received the Spirit of Liberty Award in 2007.
What were his hobbies outside of law?
He was an avid fly-fisherman who competed internationally and won the One Fly Tournament in 1992.
