Remembering Henry Jaglom: 5 of his best movies to watch

Henry Jaglom passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 87 in Santa Monica. Admirers from around the world took to social media to pay their final respects. Over his long career, Jaglom made his mark as a playwright, director, and actor in Hollywood films. After attending Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, he studied English at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jaglom joined the Actors Studio to train with Lee Strasberg. He then went on to appear in several films and even directed some stuff. Let's take a look at five of his best works. These include Ovation and Last Summer in the Hamptons, among others.

5 best movies of Henry Jaglom

1) Ovation (2015)

Ovation is the directorial work of Henry Jaglom, who also co-wrote it with Ron Vignone. The film is about a theatre actress who meets and falls for a big star of television star. Together, they try to navigate their career and love lives. It had its world premiere at the 2015 Santa Fe Film Festival in the month of December.

2) Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995)

Jaglom directed and co-wrote Last Summer in the Hamptons, which was a comedy-drama film. As the name suggests, it focuses on the last summer vacation of a family consisting of artists, actors, and directors. The film came out in 1995 and remains a watchable flick of Jaglom's affair.

3) New Year's Day (1989)

New Year's Day is a comedy-drama film that remains one of the most underrated works of Henry Jaglom. It premiered at the 46th Venice International Film Festival in the main competition section and focuses on a freshly divorced Hollywood filmmaker. If you love romcoms and light dramedies, this one is for you.

4) Just 45 Minutes from Broadway (2012)

Just 45 Minutes from Broadway is a feature film adaptation of Jaglom's own namesake play, which he wrote in 2009. The drama film focuses on Grisha, whose daughter introduces her fiancé to their family, right before his book launch. It is a human drama that brings out some powerful performances from the actors.

5) Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?

Henry Jaglom wrote and directed this comedy film that was released in May 1983. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release, Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? It had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. The film chronicles Zee, who works as a musician and is struggling with the separation from her husband.

Some honorable mentions include The Thousand Plane Raid, Queen of the Lot, and Babyfever, among others.

Which of these films is your favorite?