Barry Blaustein, the filmmaker behind the sports-themed documentary Beyond the Mat and the comedy The Ringer, has died. He was 72.
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Blaustein died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to Chapman University, where he had been a longtime professor. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 and was recently informed he had stage four pancreatic cancer.
Blaustein was best known in sports circles for directing and producing Beyond the Mat (1999), a behind-the-scenes look at professional wrestling that followed performers across multiple promotions, including those led by Vince McMahon. The film offered a rare glimpse into the physical and personal toll of the industry and was a finalist for the Academy Award for best documentary.
He also directed The Ringer (2005), a comedy starring Johnny Knoxville that centered on the Special Olympics. The film drew attention for its subject matter and featured performances from athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Before moving into directing, Blaustein built a career as a writer, including a notable run on "Saturday Night Live" and collaborations on films such as Coming to America and The Nutty Professor.
Born in New York, Blaustein later joined Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as a full-time faculty member in 2012.
He is survived by his wife, two children and a granddaughter. A memorial service is planned, with details to be announced.
