TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR TOM SHERAK FOLLOWING HIS DEATH AT AGE 68

Studio executives, film stars, producers, directors, and Los Angeles leaders paid tribute on Tuesday to Tom Sherak, the longtime studio executive, former Academy president and L.A. film “czar,” who died after a long battle against prostate cancer. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti led the final salutes, saying that he was “devastated to learn of the passing of my close friend and advisor Tom Sherak. Tom was a true Hollywood original, moving up the ladder to promote blockbusters, running the Oscars and having a bulging rolodex filled with not just A-list contacts, but so many close friends who were smitten by his humor, drive, and spirit.” MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd said that the “film industry has lost one of its greatest advocates. … He dedicated his life to the movies, helping to share some of our greatest stories with the world.” Academy chief Dawn Hudson added, “He was my mentor and my friend. I learned from him, I laughed with him, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the time we shared together.”