[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 9, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING GILBERT ``GIL'' CATES

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today, I honor the 
extraordinary life of Gilbert ``Gil'' Cates, a director, producer, 
mentor, and friend to not only California and New York, but the entire 
Nation.
  Born Gilbert Lewis Katz on June 6, 1934, in New York City to Russian 
Jewish immigrants Nathan and Nina Katz, Gil soared to the top of the 
entertainment field with a focus in both film and theater.
  Following his education at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, 
Gil enrolled at Syracuse University, where he majored in theater.
  In 1961, Gil made his producing and directing debut on the television 
game show ``Camouflage.''
  He accomplished countless artistic achievements during his long 
career as a producer and director, and in 1990 he produced the ``62nd 
Annual Academy Award,'' where he made his biggest mark on the industry 
he cherished so much.
  Over the next 18 years, Gil served either as the producer or 
executive producer of 14 Academy Award shows. With broadcasts hosted by 
Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, and Chris Rock, Gil is 
credited with restoring the telecast as the entertainment industry's 
most important and widely watched event.
  Gil also earned a reputation as an inclusive and creative leader. As 
a film producer, his credits include ``Oh, God! Book II,'' ``After the 
Fall,'' and ``I Never Sang for My Father.'' He directed segments of 
``The Twilight Zone,'' ``Hobson's Choice,'' ``The Promise,'' and 
``Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams.'' As both producer and director, his 
body of work includes ``Collected Stories,'' ``Confessions: Two Faces 
of Evil,'' ``Absolute Strangers,'' ``Rings Around the World,'' and 
``World's Fair Spectacular.''
  Gil made his Broadway debut as the stage manager for ``Shinbone 
Alley'' in 1957. He made his producing debut on Broadway in 1967 with 
``You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running,'' and five years 
later made his directorial debut in 1972 with ``Voices,'' an original 
play with music. In total, he was involved with nine Broadway shows. 
The most recent, ``Time Stands Still,'' closed on January 30, 2011.
  Beyond his film, television, and theater work, Gil served the 
entertainment industry in many leadership capacities. He was a two-term 
president of the Directors Guild of America, DGA, from 1983 to 1987. 
From 1990 to 1998, he served as founding dean of the UCLA School of 
Theater, Film and Television, and then as a mentor and professor. He 
was also the founding and producing director of the renowned Geffen 
Playhouse in Westwood, CA. During his diverse career he served in 
various roles on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion 
Picture Arts and Sciences.
  Gil received many honors from the entertainment industry throughout 
his extensive career, including an Emmy Award for producing the ``63rd 
Annual Academy Awards'' in 1991. Gil was also Emmy-nominated for 
directing two television movies, ``Consenting Adult'' in 1985 and ``Do 
You Know the Muffin Man?'' in 1989.
  As a result of his service to the DGA, he received the Directors 
Guild President Award, the DGA's Robert B. Aldrich Award for Service, 
and an Honorary Life Membership. He also received the Jimmy Dolittle 
Award for Outstanding Contribution to Los Angeles Theater, the Ovation 
Award for best play ``Collected Stories,'' and finally, a star on 
Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
  The showman who was known for his undeniable charisma and witty ways, 
as well as his contributions to the entertainment industry, was above 
all an extraordinary person who was in a class all his own.
  Please join me in expressing the sympathies of this body to Gil 
Cates' family, including his wife, Dr. Judith Reichman; his sister, 
Florence Adler; his children, David, Jonathan, Gil Junior, Melissa, and 
Anat and Ronit Reichman; and six grandchildren.
  Gilbert Cates was larger-than-life and his legacy of remarkable 
talent, leadership, humor, and dedication to art will no doubt live on 
within the entertainment industry.

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