Oscar producer Gilbert Cates dies at 77
In this Feb. 21, 2006 file photo, Oscars show producer Gil Cates addresses reporters during a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: AP
Producer and director Gilbert Cates, who oversaw a record 14 Academy Awards ceremonies and founded the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, has died. He was 77.
Cates collapsed on the UCLA campus Monday evening. Emergency personnel responded but were unable to revive him, officials said Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.
Cates last produced the Oscar telecast in 2008, when the ceremony was almost sidelined by the Writers Guild strike.
He was comfortable at the helm of the show, calling it "an absolutely great job." He produced more Academy Awards telecasts than anyone else and brought in comedians such as Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and Steve Martin to host the show.
Martin tweeted his condolences Tuesday. "So sorry to hear Gil Cates has died," Martin wrote. "He helmed two Oscar shows I hosted. He was delightful, wise, canny and unperturbed. A great fellow."
Singer Josh Groban also shared his thoughts on Twitter, writing, "So sad to hear of the passing of legendary tv producer Gil Cates. He gave me many great opportunities and was always extremely kind. RIP."
Academy President Tom Sherak said Cates was a colleague, friend and a "consummate professional." Cates "gave the academy and the world some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history," Sherak said in a statement. "His passing is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry."
Cates founded the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA. He was its dean from 1990 to 1998 and remained on the faculty as a professor. Teri Schwartz, dean of the school, cited Cates as a "beloved mentor, colleague and friend."
Cates twice served as president of the Directors Guild of America and was on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He produced and directed plays at the Geffen Playhouse, where he was regarded as "our founder, our leader and our heart," according to a statement released Tuesday.
Cates is survived by his wife, Dr. Judith Reichman, four children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.
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