Owen Van Natta built a career during one of the most transformative periods in technology, helping shape the business of social networking while earning the respect of colleagues who knew him beyond his executive titles. His unexpected death in August 2026 has prompted an outpouring of grief across Silicon Valley. Tributes shared by people who knew him describe him as funny, generous, energetic and deeply committed to personal growth.
Born November 12, 1969, Van Natta studied English and American literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His professional career included leadership positions at Amazon, Facebook, Project Playlist, MySpace and Zynga.
At Facebook, Van Natta served as chief operating officer and later chief revenue officer, focusing on revenue operations, business development and strategic partnerships during the company’s rapid expansion. He later became CEO of Project Playlist before taking the helm at MySpace in 2009.
He subsequently joined Zynga as an executive and board member before continuing his work in technology, investment and entrepreneurship.
Yet the tributes following his death have emphasized something beyond his résumé. Friends and colleagues remember Van Natta for his warmth, humor, generosity and ability to turn professional relationships into genuine friendships.
Details surrounding his death, including the cause, have not been publicly confirmed in reliable sources available at this time. Funeral and memorial arrangements have likewise not been announced.
Van Natta leaves behind a professional legacy spanning some of the defining companies of the internet era—and, for those who knew him personally, memories of a vibrant and generous man whose influence extended far beyond Silicon Valley’s boardrooms.