Alan Dershowitz Announces the Tragic Passing of His Son

Prominent attorney and Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz announced Monday that his son, Elon Dershowitz, has died at the age of 64.

The news was shared by Dershowitz on social media, where he linked to a Newsmax report confirming the details. Elon, a longtime film and television producer, reportedly suffered a stroke on Sunday that ultimately proved fatal, according to family members.

Elon Dershowitz had a wide-ranging career in entertainment and media. Among his most notable credits was helping produce the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune, which starred Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons in a retelling of the sensational Claus von Bülow case.

The movie went on to earn critical acclaim, with Irons winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. Beyond Hollywood, Elon also lent his talents to the world of sports, producing documentaries for ESPN, as well as producing his father’s own program, The Dershow, a podcast that showcased Alan Dershowitz’s commentary on legal and political issues.

Friends and colleagues described Elon as both creative and devoted to his work. While his production résumé was impressive, Elon also had a background in performance. As a young man, he was known for staging magic shows for audiences that included prominent figures such as then-Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and even the Boston Celtics.

According to reports, it was a passion that hinted early on at his flair for entertainment and his ability to capture an audience’s imagination.

Elon was also a man who gave back in death, with his family confirming that he had chosen to donate his organs. A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in New York City, where friends and family are expected to gather and remember his life.

The loss is the latest personal tragedy for Alan Dershowitz, who has already endured the passing of his first wife, Sue, Elon’s mother, as well as his sister, Marilyn. Elon is survived by his father Alan, his stepmother, a brother and sister, two cousins, and an uncle.

Alan Dershowitz’s grief comes amid one of the most extraordinary careers in modern American legal history. A fixture at Harvard Law for decades, Dershowitz has built a reputation as one of the most famous, and sometimes controversial, lawyers in the country.

His list of clients reads like a who’s who of headline-grabbing defendants: O.J. Simpson during his infamous murder trial, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and most recently, President Donald Trump, whom he defended during Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020.

In addition to his courtroom work, Dershowitz has been a prolific author, publishing more than 50 books and countless op-eds in major outlets. His writings and television appearances have made him both a household name and a lightning rod in political debate. Though a lifelong Democrat, Dershowitz has not shied away from criticizing the left or defending figures on the right, arguing that his guiding principle has always been civil liberties and the Constitution.

For Dershowitz, Elon’s death represents not only a profound personal loss but also the silencing of a voice that contributed behind the scenes to his own work. The younger Dershowitz’s role in producing The Dershow was another way father and son worked closely together, blending Alan’s legal analysis with Elon’s production skills to reach audiences in the digital media landscape.

The elder Dershowitz has not yet released a detailed statement beyond sharing the news of his son’s passing, but his decision to make the announcement public reflects the deep ties between his family life and public career. Elon’s contributions to both film and his father’s media presence left a distinct mark, even if much of his work happened off-camera.

Tributes are expected to follow in the coming days as the legal, entertainment, and political communities absorb the news. Elon Dershowitz’s passing, coming so suddenly, underscores the fragility of life — even for families used to the spotlight.