Pierce Thiot, Creative Executive at Maximum Effort, Dies at 40

Pierce Thiot, who as the head of creative for brand and entertainment at the film, television and marketing company Maximum Effort helped launch some of the most culturally relevant brand campaigns in recent memory, has died. He was 40 years old.

Thiot died Tuesday at his home in Orem, Utah from a pulmonary embolism, the company told The Hollywood Reporter .

“Pierce Thiot was a shining light of creativity, kindness and hard work. It is impossible to imagine the world, let alone our company, without him,” Maximum Effort co-founders Ryan Reynolds and George Dewey said in a statement. “Pierce was incredibly accomplished before he came to Maximum Effort, having worked on Apple, Nike, Gatorade, Coca-Cola and created the viral sensation ‘Will It Beard?’ In his almost 5 years at Maximum Effort, he created countless creative moments for brands like Doordash, L’Oreal, Mint, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and most recently Coyote vs. Acme . Related Stories Movies Andrea Eastman, Casting Director on 'The Godfather' and Former ICM Agent, Dies at 86 Movies Samuel Monroe Jr., 'Menace II Society' Star, Dies at 52

“More than that, he was beloved,” they continued. “We adored and admired Pierce. He was generous with his time and love. He was funny as hell. He gave the best hugs.