Australian-born, British-based animator Bob Godfrey has died at the age of 91, according to the U.K. Guardian. Godfrey won an Academy Award in 1975 for his animated short film Great, about the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He received Oscar nominations on three other occasions for 1972′s Kama Sutra Rides Again, 1979′s Dream Doll, and 1994′s Small Talk. But Godfrey was best known for his work on the Richard Briers-narrated BBC TV show Roobarb, which concerned the adventures of an excitable dog named Roobarb and a mischievous cat named Custard and which delighted a generation of British children in the ’70s. Briers himself passed away last week.
Tag: Oscars (1-10 of 38)
Feb 23
2013
01:49 PM ET
Jun 19
2012
07:16 PM ET
Academy names Jasmine Madatian as new communications director
It’s a whole new world for veteran film publicist Jasmine Madatian.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has chosen her for the new role of managing director of communications, overseeing not just the annual Oscar presentation but the group’s year-round preservation, education and historical programs.
Madatian will report to the Academy’s chief marketing officer, Christina Kounelias, starting July 30. “Jasmine is a smart, innovative and highly regarded communications strategist with strong relationships throughout the film and media industry,” Kounelias said in Tuesday’s announcement. “Her understanding of our mission and enthusiasm for the Academy is what really sets her apart and makes her such a great fit for this position.” READ FULL STORY »
Jun 18
2012
07:49 PM ET
Oscar-nominated actress Susan Tyrrell dies at age 67
Image Credit: Mary DiBiase/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Image
Actress Susan Tyrrell has died at the age of 67. Tyrrell was best known for her Oscar-nominated supporting performance as a barfly in director John Huston’s 1972 boxing drama Fat City. Her eclectic filmography also included Andy Warhol’s Bad, Paul Verhoeven’s Flesh + Blood, and John Waters’ Cry-Baby.
In 2000, the actress was diagnosed with thrombocythemia, a rare disease of the bone marrow, and had both her legs amputated. Tyrell continued to act, appearing in such projects as Masked and Anonymous and, most recently, Kid Thing.
Although never a household name, Tyrrell’s fondness for leftfield projects and her at times outre behavior helped her acquire a devoted following amongst cult film fans. “The last thing my mother said to me was, ‘SuSu, your life is a celebration of everything that is cheap and tawdry,’” the actress recalled to writer Paul Cullum, who penned a 2000 profile of Tyrrell for the LA Weekly. “I’ve always liked that, and I’ve always tried to live up to it.”
Her death was confirmed by Cullum who said he was told by Tyrrell’s niece that she passed away in her sleep on Saturday at the actress’ home in Austin, Texas.
Feb 26
2012
12:54 PM ET
Halle Berry to miss Oscars telecast
A broken foot will keep Academy Award winner Halle Berry from presenting at tonight’s Oscar ceremony, reports People. Berry injured herself in Spain back in September, during a day off from filming Cloud Atlas, the Wachowskis film starring Tom Hanks. Berry reportedly suffered the break while chasing after her daughter, Nahla, who was chasing a goat across rocky terrain at the time. Ten years ago, Berry became the first African-American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress.
Nov 8
2011
10:49 AM ET
Hal Kanter, Emmy-winning writer, has died
Image Credit: SGranitz/WireImage.com
Legendary Emmy-winning comedy writer, director, and producer Hal Kanter has passed away at the age of 92 due to complications from pneumonia, according to the Los Angeles Times. Kanter had a career that spanned nearly seven decades and his unparalleled resume included creating the groundbreaking NBC sitcom, Julia, working as a writer and producer on Chico and the Man, and, perhaps most notably, writing the Oscar telecast for nearly 33 years. Two of Kanter’s three Emmys came from his work on the Academy Awards. (His first Emmy was for the variety program The George Gobel Show.)
In addition to the indelible mark he left on television, which also included creating The Jimmy Stewart Show and working briefly as an executive producer on All in the Family, Kanter wrote for the big screen as well. His film credits include writing Road to Bali, Money From Home, Artists and Models, Pocket Full of Miracles, and The Rose Tattoo, which he collaborated on with Tennessee Williams. Kanter stepped behind the camera on occasion, directing the 1957 Elvis Presley drama Loving You, which he also co-wrote.
A recipient of the Writers Guild of America’s Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television, Kanter penned his memoir So Far, So Funny: My Life in Show Business in 1999 and was described by the LA Times as being “the go-to wit to act as master of ceremonies or speak at Hollywood functions and other events.” Carl Reiner echoed the sentiment, telling the Times, “What a dear man. He was considered one of the wits of the industry; there’s no question about it. Any time he was called upon, he always could make the audience laugh.”
Nov 1
2011
02:40 PM ET
Longtime Oscar producer Gil Cates dies at 77
Image Credit: FilmMagic.com
Gil Cates, the film director who was best known as a frequent producer of the Academy Awards telecast, has died at age 77, EW has confirmed. “Gil was our colleague, our friend and a former governor of the Academy,” says AMPAS president Tom Sherak in a statement. “He was a consummate professional who gave the Academy and the world some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history. His passing is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry, and our thoughts go out to his family.”
Overseeing the Oscar telecast is a tiring and daunting task, and therefore one that producers rarely tackle in two consecutive years. But Cates produced the show a staggering 14 times between 1990 and 2008. He was responsible for hiring such diverse Oscar hosts as Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart. Cates, who was the uncle of actress Phoebe Cates, directed the films Oh God! Book II and I Never Sang for My Father, as well as the TV movies Consenting Adult and Do You Know the Muffin Man? He received a total of 16 Emmy nominations during his career, winning once, for the 1991 Oscar ceremony.
UPDATE: Steven Spielberg has also paid tribute to Cates, releasing the following statement: “No one may ever again achieve what Gil Cates achieved in his contributions to the success of the Motion Picture Academy and the Directors Guild. In producing 14 Oscar shows for the Academy and leading the Directors Guild through challenging times and negotiations, he set a remarkable standard for dedication and excellence. He was the most like person I knew and will be missed by all who knew him as a proud member of our industry and a great pal to everyone.”
And from MPAA president Chris Dodd: “Gil Cates has been one of our Hollywood greats — always visionary, entrepreneurial and generous. His varied career in this industry crossed cinema, television and academia: from leading the Directors Guild of America, developing 14 Oscar shows, producing his own feature films, to mentoring future generations as Dean of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. We’ve lost a great man today, but Gil Cates shall always remain present in our hearts and in our memories.”
Jan 31
2011
10:00 AM ET
John Barry, Oscar-winning composer, dies at 77
Image Credit: Peter Jordan/AP ImagesFilm composer John Barry, who helped create one of the most iconic movie themes of all time and won five Oscars for his ground-breaking work, has died at age 77. According to the Associated Press, the English-born musician, who contributed the groovy signature theme to a dozen James Bond installments, passed away in New York on Sunday. In addition to his work on the 007 films, beginning with uncredited work on 1962′s Dr. No, Barry won Oscars for the score and song of 1966′s Born Free, 1968′s The Lion in Winter, 1985′s Out of Africa, and 1990′s Dances With Wolves.
Oct 13
2010
11:15 AM ET
Bruce Davis to retire from Academy
Bruce Davis, executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, announced that he’ll be retiring next June, after nearly 30 years years with the powerful organization that presents the Oscars. Davis joined the Academy staff in 1981 before becoming its seventh executive director in 1989. An Academy spokesperson confirmed the news, first reported yesterday by Deadline.com.
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