Laura Ziskin

Laura Ziskin
Name	Laura Ziskin
Birth date	March 3, 1950
Birth place	San Fernando Valley, California, U.S.
Death date	June 12, 2011
Death place	Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation	Film producer, Television producer
Yearsactive	1976–2011
Spouse	Julian Barry (m. 2010)

Laura Ziskin was a pioneering American film and television producer known for her influential career in Hollywood and her significant philanthropic work. She was the first woman to produce the Academy Awards ceremony solo and was a founding executive of the production company Fox 2000. Ziskin's diverse filmography includes major blockbusters like the *Spider-Man* trilogy and critically acclaimed dramas such as Pretty Woman and As Good as It Gets. Beyond entertainment, she co-founded the non-profit Stand Up To Cancer, leaving a profound legacy in both the film industry and cancer research advocacy.

Early life and education

Laura Ziskin was born in the San Fernando Valley region of California and developed an early interest in storytelling. She attended the University of Southern California, where she studied at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. After graduating, she began her professional career in the entertainment industry, initially working in television. Her early experiences provided a foundation for her future success in both film production and television production.

Film career

Laura Ziskin's film career began in the late 1970s, and she rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s by producing a series of major commercial and critical hits. She served as a producer on the iconic romantic comedy Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, which became a global phenomenon. She later produced the Oscar-winning film As Good as It Gets, directed by James L. Brooks and featuring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. In 2002, she produced the groundbreaking superhero film *Spider-Man*, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire, which launched a highly successful trilogy. As a founding president of Fox 2000, a division of 20th Century Fox, she oversaw the development of numerous projects, including Fight Club and *The Thin Red Line*.

Television work

In television, Laura Ziskin made history in 2002 when she became the first woman to produce the Academy Awards telecast alone, a role she reprised for the 79th Academy Awards in 2007. Her work on the Oscars was noted for its innovative production elements and star-studded presentations. She also served as an executive producer for several television movies and specials, contributing to the medium's prestige event programming. Her television efforts often intersected with her advocacy, using the platform to promote social causes.

Advocacy and philanthropy

Driven by her personal battle with breast cancer, Laura Ziskin became a formidable force in cancer research advocacy. In 2008, she co-founded the groundbreaking non-profit Stand Up To Cancer alongside prominent figures from the entertainment industry and the scientific community. The organization is known for its televised fundraising specials, which have featured celebrities like George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston, and has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for collaborative cancer research. Her philanthropic work earned her widespread recognition beyond Hollywood, including honors from the American Association for Cancer Research.

Personal life and death

Laura Ziskin was married to screenwriter and playwright Julian Barry, known for his work on *Lenny*, from 2010 until her death. She had one daughter from a previous relationship. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she faced the disease with very public determination, which fueled her philanthropic mission. After a seven-year struggle, Laura Ziskin died from complications related to the illness on June 12, 2011, at her home in Santa Monica. Her death was mourned across the film industry and the medical research community.

Legacy and honors

Laura Ziskin's legacy is marked by her barrier-breaking role as a female producer in Hollywood and her transformative philanthropic impact. She paved the way for women in high-level production roles, evidenced by her historic work on the Academy Awards. Her co-founding of Stand Up To Cancer created a lasting model for fundraising and collaborative science. Posthumously, she has been honored with tributes at events like the Academy Awards and through continued advocacy in her name. The Laura Ziskin Prize in Translational Research was established by Stand Up To Cancer to support scientists advancing new cancer treatments.

Category:American film producers Category:American television producers Category:1950 births Category:2011 deaths