Background
Cates was born Gilbert Katz in New York City, the son of Jewish parents Nina (née Peltzman) and Nathan Katz, who was a dress manufacturer.
film Theater television producer and director
Cates was born Gilbert Katz in New York City, the son of Jewish parents Nina (née Peltzman) and Nathan Katz, who was a dress manufacturer.
Bachelor of Science, Syracuse University, 1955; Master of Arts, Syracuse University, 1965.
"Gil Cates" redirects here. Gilbert “Gil” Cates (June 6, 1934 – October 31, 2011), born Gilbert Katz, was an Award winning American film director and television producer, director of the Geffen Playhouse, and founding dean of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television. Cates is most known for having produced the Academy Awards telecast a record 14 times between 1990 and 2008.
Cates was a producing director and president of the board at the Geffen Playhouse.
He directed a number of feature films including I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973), both nominated for Oscars, Oh, God! Book II (1980) and The Last Married Couple in America (1980). He also produced and directed Broadway and off-Broadway plays, including I Never Sang for My Father and You Know I Can"t Hear You When the Water"s Running.
Cates is credited with re-energizing the Academy Awards shows he produced 14 times between 1990 and 2008, recruiting Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart as hosts. He served on the Academy"s Board of Governors from 1984 to 1993, winning an Emmy in 1991 for the 63rd annual Oscars.
He returned to the board for another term beginning in 2002, and held the post of vice president from 2003 to 2005.
From 1983 to 1987 he served as president of the Directors Guild of America. On April 8, 1991 he became dean of University of California, Los Angeles"s newly combined School of Theater, Film and Television, a post he held until 1998, and was on the faculty of the school as a professor In 2005 Cates received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Board directors Israeli Cancer Research Fund, 1992-1994. Member Directors Guild American (honorary life award 1990, vice president Eastern region 1965, Western region since 1980, president 1983-1987, Robert B. Aldrich award 1989, national secretary-tras. since 1997, President's award 2005), Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (board governors, chairman board directors 1985-1994, since 2003), Women in Film (board directors 1993-1994. vice president 2003), League New York Theatres.
Married Jane Betty Dubin, February 9, 1957 (divorced). Children: Melissa Beth, Jonathan Michael, David Sawyer, Gilbert Lewis. Married Judith Reichman, January 25, 1987.
Stepchildren: Ronit Reichman, Anat Reichman.