Andrew Louis Knight
Obituary

Andy Knight died of pancreatic cancer on August 27th at the age of 59, leaving behind a family who loves him and a garage containing approximately 4,000 tools. He was known to everyone for his big smile and love of people, most people. Andy approached life with an optimistic spirit that lifted everyone around him. He was a true fighter who faced health challenges with grit and unwavering strength.

Andy was born in Illinois, raised in Studio City, California as a little brother to his siblings and spent much of his childhood on the back lot of Universal Studios as his mom, Jet Knight, worked in Transportation as a Driver for the movie industry. He also enjoyed playing sports like football, baseball and basketball.

Andy was a gifted craftsman and problem solver who took that talent and made a career as a Propmaker, Local 44, in the motion-picture industry, where for more than 30 years he helped create some of the objects and worlds audiences saw on screen. Give him a drawing, a photograph, a half-baked idea, call him at 3am—or occasionally something that seemed completely impossible—and chances were good that Andy would eventually figure out how to make it real. 

Those who knew him best knew his self proclaimed superpowers were eating and sleeping. Not only did he love food and would constantly hunt for the ultimate mom and pop joint, but he was also a wicked awesome cook himself who found true joy in the kitchen. Though he briefly lost those superpowers during his treatments he fought hard to reclaim them. Even in some of his last moments, he was requesting meals like a hungry sumo wrestler. His passion for a great meal and a deep rest remained a testament to his resilience. He also loved fast cars and driving through Kanan at night. That love of cars started early in life with his brother Tim and playing Hot wheels.

But the role Andy treasured most didn’t come with a film credit. It was being dad to his son, Alex. His son knew a different side of his dad, one that took him to USC football games, built endless legos with him and loved sharing meals at places like Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Brent’s Deli and Sutters Mill.

Andy will be remembered as loyal, funny and incredibly generous with his time and skills. The things he built will remain behind.

Andy leaves behind his beloved son, Alex and former wife, Madeline, his brother Tim, MVP, Knight, his sister-in-law Kristin Knight, niece Jessica Knight (James Vilamore), nephews Samuel and Kenneth Johnson, sister Jetty O’Neill, neice Kendall Clark (Rich), nephew Jordan O’Neill, and brother Tyrone Burgin, as well as his loving extended family in Missouri, lifelong friends like Tammy Jean Danoff and all of his amazing co-workers over the years.

This is only a small portion of some of the amazing media Andy helped create:

• Jack Frost 

• American Pie 2 

• Kill Bill: Vol. 1

• Kill Bill: Vol. 2 

• Fun with Dick and Jane

• The Break-Up

• You, Me and Dupree

• The Number 23 

• Saving Grace  (TV series)

• Parks and Recreation  (TV series)

• The Lone Ranger 

• Grown Ups 2 

• Fast & Furious 7 

• Jurassic World