Hollywood luminaries of all stripes expressed their admiration for Tom Sherak, the longtime studio executive and former president of the Academy who died Tuesday after a long fight with prostate cancer. Words like integrity, mentor and champion were passed around to describe the former Fox and Paramount executive.
“He singularly raised the bar of integrity with those of us who were lucky enough to know him,” iconic producer Robert Evans tweeted, while Henry Winkler added this: “If you needed him…Tom was always there. Tom we are so happy you were in our lives .. Our thoughts go to all the Sheraks.”
Sherak’s impact extended beyond Hollywood. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who appointed Sherak film czar last year, was one of the first to weigh in.
“Tom Sherak’s humor, drive, & universal appeal were truly unique,” Garcetti tweeted. “We last spoke on Fri, and his love of LA and filming were second to none.”
His office then issued statement that the mayor 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.”
Here are a few other reactions:
“Film has lost one of its biggest champions! wonderful man, mentor! and human being.” — Columbia Pictures production co-chief Michael De Luca
“Tom Sherak was the rarest of breeds in this business; a truly good man. He will be missed.” – writer/director Chris McQuarrie
I’m so sad about the passing of Tom Sherak. He was such a good guy. He ran distribution when @Dean_Devlin and I did ID4. RIP
— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) January 29, 2014
The post Hollywood Mourns the Death of Tom Sherak: Mayor Eric Garcetti, Robert Evans, Roland Emmerich Salute Former Academy President appeared first on TheWrap.
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