‘Spider-Man’ Producer Laura Ziskin Dies Of Cancer
By Angie Han/June 13, 2011 7:30 am EST
Ziskin executive-produced the Academy Awards telecast in 2002, becoming the first woman to ever do so alone, and again in 2007. Both productions garnered her an Emmy nod. But her most successful projects during the ’00s were her three Spider-Man films starring Tobey Maguire. While working on those films, in 2004, Ziskin was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her last producer credit is the reboot of her Spider-Man franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man, due out next year.
Ziskin was also actively involved in philanthropy work. In 2008, she teamed with other industry figures to create Stand Up to Cancer, an initiative that has earned $180 million in donations for cancer research. Ziskin was also passionate about environmental and educational causes, and served on the board of such organizations as Americans for a Safe Future, Education First, and the National Council of Jewish Women.
Earlier this year, Ziskin was given the Visionary Award by the Producers Guild of America. She’d previously received the David O. Selznick life achievement award back in 2005. In 2002, Women in Film honored Ziskin with the Crystal Award for helping to “expand the role of women in the entertainment industry.”
Ziskin is survived by her husband Alvin and her daughter Julia. Our thoughts are with her family and friends today. Feel free to share your thoughts on Ziskin and her career in the comments below.
