J. Michael Cline, one of the founders of Fandango, a popular online ticketing company that revolutionized the movie industry, tragically passed away this week after falling from the twentieth floor of a Manhattan hotel. The New York City police confirmed that they responded to a 911 call at the Kimberly Hotel and found Mr. Cline unconscious with injuries consistent with a fall from a high place. The medical examiner’s office later determined the cause of death to be suicide. Mr. Cline, who was 64 years old, co-founded Fandango in 2000 and departed from the company in 2011, as stated on his LinkedIn profile. Fandango, recognized by its distinctive orange “F” logo shaped like a movie ticket stub, was eventually acquired by Comcast and is now jointly owned by NBCUniversal and Warner Bros.
For many years, Fandango was a leader in movie ticket sales, providing ticketing services for various major theater chains and generating revenue through processing fees for online ticket purchases and advertising sales on its platform. When Fandango was first launched, Mr. Cline explained the name choice by stating, “A Fandango is fast and fun.” He believed the name perfectly matched the company’s goal of making the movie-going experience more convenient and enjoyable than ever.
Art Levitt, the former COO and president of Fandango, fondly remembered Mr. Cline as a brilliant, creative, and dedicated individual who persevered through challenging times. He described his late business partner as somewhat of an adventurer who recognized a market opportunity with Fandango and entrusted Mr. Levitt to oversee its management.
The legacy of J. Michael Cline and his contribution to the movie industry through Fandango will be remembered by many who benefited from the convenience and efficiency of the online ticketing service. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for a new era in movie ticket sales and transformed the way people purchased tickets for their favorite films. Despite his untimely passing, Mr. Cline’s impact on the entertainment industry will continue to be felt for years to come.