From Halley Olsen Chapel of the Valley
The theater lights got a little dimmer when Jay Thomas, 65, of Leona Valley, Calif., died peacefully at home on March 29, 2023, after a two-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Janice, son Bryce Thomas, and daughter Brooke Enriquez (Sebastyan), his sister Pat Thomas, and a wide circle of family members, friends, and colleagues.
Jay was a respected veteran of the California and national entertainment scene. As Vice President and 
General Manager of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, he oversaw the booking and venue management for thousands of performances, including every Academy Awards show from 2001 to 2022. Jay joined the executive team at the theater even before its construction started, having previously been a part of the team overseeing the construction and management of The Staples Center in Los Angeles.
He was hard-working, innovative, and smart, but Jay’s family and friends will remember him best for his quick wit and unrivaled ability to tell a great story (some of which could even be told in public). In 2019, Jay was named a “Hero of Hollywood” by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for his service and commitment. He was a longtime member of the International Association of Venue Managers, and he actively promoted several charitable causes, most notably Stand Up to Cancer.
Jay was devoted to his wife and children, taking special joy in showing off his short-order cook skills at breakfast or planning travel adventures. There was not a sport he would not watch, and he was a sneakily accomplished left-handed golfer and tennis player. Within the family, he earned a reputation for choosing offbeat names for the variety of indoor and outdoor animals who shared their property.
A native of Cleveland, Jay was a proud graduate of Ohio University and an even prouder alumnus of The Ohio University “Marching 110,” for which he played trumpet and danced like a maniac. He graduated with a degree in music education, but Jay found his true calling in venue management at the University of Texas at Austin and later at San Diego State University.
If you would like to make a memorial donation – Jay’s favorite charities were Stand Up to Cancer and The Painted Turtle.
Arrangements are pending.
Jay’s memorial will be held at the Dolby Theatre in late May.
FROM DOLBY THEATRE
On March 29, 2023, the employees and staff of the Dolby Theatre lost one of our family. Jay Thomas was a highly respected executive in the entertainment industry, serving as the Vice President and General Manager of the Dolby Theatre for over twenty-two years. He has made numerous contributions to the world of Hollywood, and in 2019 he was named a “Hero of Hollywood” by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Hollywood Community Foundation. At the Dolby Theatre, Jay has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the venue remains one of the most prestigious and sought-after locations in the entertainment industry. His tireless work ethic, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities have helped to establish the Dolby Theatre as a hub for world-class events, including the Academy Awards. Jay is known for his many positive personal attributes, including his unwavering commitment to excellence, his exceptional communication skills, and his ability to inspire and motivate those around him. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry, and his contributions to the Dolby Theatre and Hollywood as a whole will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
FROM FRIEND TODD HUNT, CVE
I first met Jay when we worked together on the 1996 Olympics. His career included stops in Austin and San Diego before opening the Staples Center and then the Kodak Theatre in LA. He was a great guy and will be missed by all who knew him. Jay possessed a quick wit and a calm demeanor. Those two traits served him well throughout his venue management career. I was honored to call him a friend.
