Cates was born Gilbert Katz in New York City, the son of Jewish parents Nina and Nathan Katz, who was a dress manufacturer.
14 Facts About Gilbert Cates
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Gilbert Cates attended DeWitt Clinton High School, and graduated from Syracuse University.
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Gilbert Cates was so taken by the experience that he changed his major to theater.
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Gilbert Cates was a member of the Reform Jewish Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
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Gilbert Cates was first married to Jane Betty Dubin and then to gynecologist Judith Reichman.
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Gilbert Cates had four children from his first marriage, including Gil Cates Jr.
7.
Gilbert Cates was the younger brother of Joseph Cates who was a director and producer, and the uncle of actress Phoebe Cates.
8.
On October 31,2011, Gilbert Cates, 77, suffered an apparent heart attack and died in a UCLA parking lot.
9.
Gilbert Cates was a producing director and president of the board at the Geffen Playhouse.
10.
Gilbert Cates 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.
11.
Gilbert Cates produced the Academy Awards 14 times between 1990 and 2008 and was credited with recruiting Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart to serve as hosts.
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Gilbert Cates served on the Academy's Board of Governors from 1984 to 1993, winning an Emmy in 1991 for the 63rd annual Oscars.
13.
Gilbert Cates returned to the board for another term beginning in 2002, and held the post of vice president from 2003 to 2005.
14.
In 2005 Gilbert Cates received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.