Gregory Joackim

We are sad to announce the passing of Gregory Stephen Joackim, age 52, who died unexpectedly at his home in Burbank, CA, on Feb 4, 2023 after a medical emergency.

Greg was born on June 7, 1970, in the Bronx, NY, as the only child of Stephen and Virginia Joackim.

At an early age, Greg took an interest in film and storytelling which eventually spurred his family’s move to Laguna Nigel in sunny California just prior to his senior year of high school.  After graduating from high school in Dana Point, CA, he was accepted to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television where he graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Film & Television Production major. 

After USC, Greg worked in the video game industry as a writer and producer at Disney Interactive, but eventually left to focus on filmmaking. In 2001, his independent feature film “The Trouble with Lou,” won a Special Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival. While the film became a well-reviewed cult treasure, what was truly special about the film was that it was made with many of his best friends. He continued collaborating with those friends throughout his career.

In the succeeding years, Greg worked as a freelance writer on animated projects at Disney, Warner Brothers, and Paramount and had notable stints as a background actor, standing in for the likes of Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, and Jason Statham.

More recently, Greg had also taken up teaching, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm for the film, animation, and gaming industries with his students at the iLead Academy. 

Greg’s boundless imagination and hopefulness was infectious to all those who were lucky enough to meet him. His unique perspectives on life gave the world and his friends and family many wonderful memories of laughter and fun. Greg was a loyal friend and good son, and his love of animals was unsurpassed. He will be dearly missed by everyone.

Greg is survived by his loving mother Virginia Joackim.

There will be a graveside service for Gregory Joackim at 3pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, followed by his interment immediately thereafter.