Gilbert Cates' Dying: Hollywood Takes note of the Director and Oscar Producer

Following Tuesday's news of 14-time Oscar producer Glibert Cates' dying at 77 years of age, Hollywood has responded with remembrances from the veteran director and producer. First to acknowledge his sudden passing was the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences. "Gil was our friend, our friend along with a former governor from the Academy," stated Academy leader Tom Sherak. "He would be a consummate professional who gave the Academy and also the world probably the most memorable moments in Oscar history. His passing is really a tremendous loss towards the entertainment industry, and our ideas go to his family." STORY: Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Dies at 77 A 2-term leader from the Company directors Guild of America, Cates was close with lots of of his peers, which Steven Spielberg stated inside a statement. "Nobody may again achieve what Gil Cates accomplished in the contributions to the prosperity of the Film Academy and also the Company directors Guild," Spielberg stated inside a statement. "In creating 14 Oscar shows for that Academy and leading the Company directors Guild through challenging occasions and discussions, he set a amazing standard for dedication and excellence. He was probably the most loved person I understood and will also be skipped by all who understood him like a proud person in our industry along with a great friend to everybody." Current DGA leader Taylor Hackford echoed Spielberg's sentiments. "Gil Cates embodied this Guild," he stated. "Through his decades and services information, he led the Guild lightly and charismatically with great knowledge, and possibly more to the point, he established what it really intended to be an innovator of the organization and also the entertainment community. He would be a fierce friend, a level fiercer negotiator and somebody you usually wished was in your corner but respected even when he wasn't. Gil was among the lights of the organization and among the central reasons which i grew to become involved with Guild service. From the moment I became a member of the Western Company directors Council in 1996, Gil would be a mentor in my experience, encouraging me to consider leadership responsibility and supplying guidance all on the way. I had been honored for everyone with him of these a long time and can miss him greatly." PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Among Cates' many contributions towards the industry was as founder and creating director of UCLA's Geffen Playhouse. He'd most lately directed a manufacture of Jeffrey Hatcher's A Picasso for that Geffen in 2007. "Gil has always known to the employees of the Geffen Playhouse as his second family" stated Geffen chairman Frank Mancuso inside a statement. "Which is like a family that people mourn this tremendous loss. Gil built this theater and that he will forever attend the middle of it -- we recognition his existence by ongoing the fulfillment of his dream. As oh my gosh friend Gil would without doubt say 'onward and upward using the arts.'" Cates also founded UCLA's School of Theater, Film and tv, where he offered as dean from 1990 to 1998. Sitting dean Teri Schwartz launched an argument with respect to the college. "Our entire TFT community is extremely saddened by losing our beloved mentor, friend and friend," she stated. "Today we mourn our great loss but additionally celebrate Gil's remarkable vision and numerous contributions, not just to TFT as founding dean and distinguished professor but towards the entertainment and carrying out arts industries and also the education in our students, who achieved positive results from his amazing talent, experience, generosity, experience and knowledge. Our greatest condolences and love go to Gil's beloved family only at that very hard time." PHOTOS: Oscar Hosts Over time On Twitter, among Cates' Oscar collaborators, former host Steve Martin, shared his condolences. "So sorry to listen to Gil Cates has died," Martin authored. "He helmed two Oscar shows I located. He was wonderful, smart, canny and unperturbed. An excellent fellow." Related Subjects Steve Martin Steven Spielberg