The star adapted their work as their illness progressed.

Hollywood legend Leonard Kornberg has died after struggling with a degenerative illness (Image: NA)

Hollywood legend Leonard Kornberg died on January 3 at the age of 75. No cause of death has been revealed, but he had been battling Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD), a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder since 2001. The condition is extremely rare, with fewer than a few hundred cases formally diagnosed worldwide, and it is often misdiagnosed. It affects the nervous system and gradually impacts movement and strength.

As it progressed, this affected his mobility, but rather than retire, he adapted his work. He returned to do story analysis at Universal and, despite being bed-bound, he still managed to contribute as an uncredited producer and consulting producer for Canal Plus. Leonard had enjoyed a long career which began in the 1980s as a story analyst at Carson Productions, before moving on to analyst roles at Fox and Universal. He was then promoted at Universal to Director of Development, Vice President of Production and ultimately Senior Vice President of Production.
Leonard Kornberg was remembered on a memorial webpage which featured family images (Image: leonardkornberg/muchlove​d)

Some of the beloved movies he helped bring to the screen include Paddington, The Mummy, King Kong, Hacksaw Ridge and Psycho.

Following the news of his death, a webpage was set up for friends to pay tribute, and memories and condolences flooded in.

“Broken-hearted to hear this news and wish I spent more time with Lenny, but we worked together at Universal for 8 1/2 years from 1988-96. He was an incredible mentor and colleague to me. As others have said, a huge film geek, a really smart guy, a sweetheart and one of the most ethical people I’ve met,” one former colleague penned.

“My deepest condolences to all the Kornbergs. You don’t need me to tell you what a good and decent person Lenny was. He was always a good spirit to be around. As a co-worker, Lenny was smart and talented, his insights right on the money. His delivery came with a smile and wink of cynicism about how seriously we were all taking plot points and character shtick,” another added.

Leonard Kornberg helped bring Paddington to the big screen (Image: Publicity Picture)

A third chimed in: “He knew how to make work fun. Sure, he was smart and capable and did great work. But he was also kind and generous of spirit. And he laughed at my jokes. I treasure his memory.”

A fourth shared an image of a lit candle and penned: “In loving memory of a beautiful soul. Our heartfelt condolences to your beloved family during this difficult time.”

A fifth opined: “I didn’t know Lenny well, but he was an executive at Universal when I first started working there as a story analyst, nearly 3 decades ago, and I always enjoyed seeing him…A class act all the way, and I’m sad that he’s left the room.”

Meanwhile, a sixth recalled: “Smart, funny, big-hearted Lenny! To the family and friends grieving his loss, I say ‘may his memory be for a blessing’ because for me it already is.”