Veteran Academy Awards producer Gilbert Cates dies at 77

      Producer and director Gilbert cates, who oversaw a record 14 Academy Awards ceremonies and founded the Geffen playhouse in Los Angeles, has died. He was 77.Cates collapsed on the UCLA campus Monday evening. Emergency personnel responded but were unable to revive him, officials said Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.

    Cates last produced the Oscar telecast in 2008, when the ceremony was almost sidelined by the Writers Guild strike.
    He is survived by his wife, Dr. Judith Reichman, four children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.