We remember Oscar ceremonies for their hosts, sometimes their jokes and everyone in a while their big, exciting wins. But from 1990 to 2008, there was one guy behind the scenes who helped make them so memorable. Gil Cates produced the Oscars 14 times and spent 12 years on the Academy board of governors, and today he died at the age of 77. Cates started his career as a director on film and teleiviosn, with such films as Oh, God! Book II and A Death in the Family, but later in his life his name became synonymous with the annual Oscars ceremony.

Steven Spielberg, one of the many directors who doubtlessly admired Cates's work, provided this statement (via IndieWire):

“No one may ever again achieve what Gil Cates achieved in his contributions to the success of the Motion Picture Academy and the Directors Guild. In producing 14 Oscar shows for the Academy and leading the Directors Guild through challenging times and negotiations, he set a remarkable standard for dedication and excellence. He was the most liked person I knew and will be missed by all who knew him as a proud member of our industry and a great pal to everyone.”

Cates was the man who first brought in Billy Crystal to host the Oscars, back in 1990, righting the ship from what was widely considered a disastrous broadcast in 1989 and setting the template from what we know as the Oscars standard today, from the emphasis on montages to the variety show format that makes the Oscars one of the most-watched TV programs each year.

At The Wrap Steve Pond wrote a touching tribute to a man he knew well, including Cates telling him of the Oscars, "I've always been a fan of the circus. And this is the greatest circus." And now the great circus has lost one of its great ringleaders.

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