Remembering Steve Mensch, 62, a thrill seeker and film industry leader

The Sunday before he died in a small plane he had built, Steve Mensch was honored by the Atlanta Falcons as a tribute to all he had done to support Georgia’s film industry.

Mensch, 62, was president and general manager of studio operations at Tyler Perry Studios. 

Mensch was so much more than his title. A memorial service in his honor was held on Dec. 28 at the Tara Theatre.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said after the service that it was so appropriate to be honoring Mensch in a movie theater.

“Steve is going to be truly missed by the city of Atlanta. It will be hard to replace him,” Dickens said, highlighting Mensch’s work for Georgia tax credits for the film industry. “The State of Georgia has benefitted greatly because of Steve.”

That was one of the reasons the Atlanta Falcons showcased Mensch and other key members of “ATLWOOD” at the football game on Dec. 1. 

Organizing the tribute was Tameka Rish, senior vice president of fan and associate experience for AMB Sports and Entertainment. Rish had gotten to know Mensch when they were both part of the Leadership Atlanta 2020 Class. Rish had asked Mensch what number he wanted on a custom Falcons jersey. “20, of course,” he told her.

The Leadership Atlanta 2020 Class played an important part in Mensch’s life as well as the service in his honor.

“Steve, you embodied our class mantra: ‘Vision of Leadership. Vision of Love,’” Rish said at the service. On the day of the game, Mensch arrived early at 10:45, accompanied by his son, Charles. “I know how much it meant for him to share that day with Charles.”

Story after story, it was obvious that Mensch enjoyed the thrill of life — from flying planes, racing cars and riding motorcycles.

“Steve and I bonded over adventure,” said Rish, recalling when Mensch had broken his leg in a motorcycle accident having to get around on crutches. That helped make him more passionate about accessibility for those with disabilities. 

“He was always reflective. He was always learning,” Rish said. “He left the world better than he found it.”

The emcee for the service was Nina Packer, an entertainment and education professional. 

“Steve lived a very private life with a very public profile,” Packer said.

She could have been speaking about Mensch’s boss — Tyler Perry. Just before the service began, Perry took a seat off to the side of the theater. Towards the end of the service, Perry slipped out during a video of Mensch’s life.

“I flew in and have to fly right out,” Perry explained to me in a text shortly after he had left.

Dickens remarked that Perry coming to the service showed the magnitude of Mensch’s contributions.

“Steve was a mensch,” said Gairy Moore, a fellow LA 2020 classmate. Mensch is a Yiddish word that means a person of integrity, honor and humanity. “We had deep conversations. We had Level Six conversations. It was true bonding. It was about human connection.”

Moore remembered visiting Mensch in June 2023 for a tour of Tyler Perry Studios. “He was a consummate host and tour guide,” Moore said, concluding his remarks with a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “It’s not the length of life, but the depth of life.”

Dave Venable, who called Mensch his best friend, spoke of their shared passion for planes, air shows and flying. In 2017, they attended an air show together.

“Steve had an epiphany,” Venable said, recounting a conversation they had that day. “I want to build an airplane,” Steve said. “What do you know about building an airplane?” I asked. “Nothing.””

They both lived in Peachtree City, a place known for people in the aviation industry. 

“That family helped him build an airplane,” Venable said. “He had a lot of help. He flew about 600 to 700 hours in it.”

The most gut-wrenching remarks came from Carol Dorsey, who met Mensch when they were both working at Turner Broadcasting.

“I’m a mess,” Dorsey said as she took the stage, wiping away tears. After Turner Broadcasting, one day Mensch called her asking her if she was working. “No,” she answered. He then said he had an opportunity for her at Tyler Perry Studios as a consultant.

The goal? To make Tyler Perry Studios the “Ritz Carlton” of studios and find ways to make people happy.

“He loved his job,” Dorsey said. “Steve didn’t have to know everything. But he put together a team that did… Steve’s desire was for all of us to be happy and productive.”

Mensch would call out to her, “Hey bud,” or say, “Dorsey, hit the stairs,” wanting her to climb the four flights of stairs to their offices.

“His favorite motto was ‘family first,’” Dorsey said. If any family issue came up for his team members, he would tell them to leave. The same was true for his devotion to his wife, Danila, and their three children, Charles, Adelayna and Josephine.

“I know he loved flying so much,” said Dorsey, adding that if he had to go, at least he was doing something he loved. 

Dorsey also said his Leadership Atlanta year was transformational for him. After significant class experiences, he would share his thoughts and seek insights from her and others.

Other Leadership Atlanta 2020 class speakers on the program were Mark Feinberg and Elaine Armstrong. A dozen members of the class attended the program, including Eric Barnum, the 2020 program chair who coined the phrase: “Vision of Leadership. Vision of Love.”

After the service, Chris Escobar, owner of the Tara Theatre and executive director of the Atlanta Film Society and Atlanta Film Festival, spoke of Mensch’s generosity both to the film community and to him personally.

“Despite the title, it was the simple kindness he would show,” Escobar said.

Dickens added: “It’s a big hole that has to be filled.”

Note to readers: I too was in the 2020 Leadership Atlanta class and benefitted from Steve Mensch’s friendship and counsel. At the time, I was getting to know Tyler Perry and the studios after having been a critic of the deal to sell the movie and entertainment mogul most of Fort McPherson for a bargain basement price. In my visits to the studio to visit with Perry, Mensch was there to share his thoughts and invaluable advice. On the Sunday before his death, Mensch and his son Charles sat next to my ex-husband Tom Luse and my son David Luse. This shows just how interconnected we all are and how Atlanta can still feel like a small town.