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Tom Sherak

Tom Sherak

A veteran film executive, Tom Sherak wore many hats in the movie industry, notably serving as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Beginning his career in cinema in the early 1970s, he worked in Paramount Pictures offices before climbing the ladder at Twentieth Century Fox, eventually reaching a senior executive position. Later becoming a partner at Revolution Studios, he was integral in the release of unconventional films such as "Hellboy" (2004) and "Across the Universe" (2007). Sherak's reputation as an effective industry figure was cemented in 2009, when he took on the presidency of AMPAS, serving for three terms. He died following a long battle with prostate cancer on January 28, 2014. Sherak started working in film during the 1970s, employed at various distribution offices around the country for Paramount Pictures. For much of the 1980s, he was a distribution and marketing head at Twentieth Century Fox, overseeing the domestic releases of major movies such as "Aliens" (1986), "Wall Street" (1987), "Die Hard" (1988) and "Home Alone" (1990). He later landed other key positions at Twentieth Century Fox, including a stint as the venerable company's senior executive vice president. Moving on to a partner position at Revolution Studios, he was involved in many of the company's biggest releases, including the tense military drama "Black Hawk Down" (2001) and the high-octane action movie "xXx" (2002). In 2009, Sherak became the president of AMPAS, serving until 2012. Having endured a long battle with prostate cancer, he could have retired, but instead took on the significant position of Los Angeles film czar, working closely with mayor Eric Garcetti. Agreeing to the pay of $1.00 annually, Sherak set about luring film and television productions away from more remote locations and back to the City of Angels. Tom Sherak died of prostate cancer on January 28, 2014.
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