Christopher Dalton, a veteran producer of more than 4,000 TV commercials and a raft of Canadian and U.S. films including 1988’s The Beast of War, has died at age 70.

Dalton made his name as a prolific producer of TV commercials during the 1970s, before moving into film production.

During a boom in the TV commercial business, Dalton and Wayne Fenske started their own company (Dalton/Fenske and Friends), with offices in Chicago and L.A. When the company dissolved many years later, Dalton became increasingly involved in feature films and MOWs, as well as a TV series, 20 Minute Workout (1983), which sold internationally.

Dalton’s production credits include Power Play (1978), The Magix Show (1983), Kevin Bacon-starrer White Water Summer (1987), and more recently as a producer on Corporate Affairs (2008) and an executive producer on Crowsnest (2012).

Mark Carter, a producer who began working with Dalton in the early ’80s, said he was highly regarded within the industry for his big personality, in addition to the quality of his work and willingness to help younger producers.

“He was a respected, well-rounded, hilarious man who had a wonderful and charming sense of humour. There were a lot of young producers out there who Christopher mentored – both on the TV commercials and the film side.”