After years of winning accolades in Hollywood as a director and producer, Gilbert “Gil” Cates carved out a niche for himself in Westwood.
On Oct. 31, the founding dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and the founder of the Geffen Playhouse died after collapsing in a UCLA parking structure on Westwood Boulevard. His death is still under investigation, though natural causes are suspected. Cates was 77.
Cates was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, producing several Oscar-nominated films in the 1970s, including “I Never Sang for my Father” in 1970 and “Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams” in 1973.
This level of engagement in Hollywood paralleled his active involvement in the Directors Guild of America. For more than 30 years, Cates negotiated agreements between directors, directorial team members and studios as the organization’s president, secretary-treasurer and negotiations chair, according to a statement from Taylor Hackford, current president of the Directors Guild of America.
Cates also received accolades for his work behind-the-scenes as the producer of the Academy Awards, a position he held for 14 years.
His hands-on experience in the entertainment industry made Cates an ideal candidate for the position of dean in the newly created UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1990, said Robert Rosen, professor and former dean of the school who took over after Cates.
During his eight-year tenure, Cates made deliberate efforts to build bridges between the school’s three areas of focus, even teaching a class that combined theater actors with film directors.
While this mix of talents is a given in today’s school, the breadth in courses was unusual at the time, said Chancellor Gene Block.
“He was a real spiritual and creative force at UCLA,” Block said. “Everyone who knew him got the same feeling ““ he was always inspiring.”
With his experience in the field, Cates brought a level of professionalism to the school, which helped to connect the university with the film and television industry. Cates wanted to take advantage of the school’s location in the film capital of the world, and was influential in bringing many industry professionals, like Annette Bening, to lecture and teach, Rosen said.
In 1995, Cates founded the Geffen Playhouse with the intention of giving the Los Angeles community and UCLA students access to professional productions.
Cates often referred to the staff of the Playhouse as his “second family,” and the theater hopes to continue his dream by moving on with their scheduled productions in his memory, according to a statement by Frank Mancuso, chairman of the Geffen Playhouse.
Along with this well-known status, Cates gained another reputation as a warm, friendly and outgoing leader at UCLA.
Block spoke of his characteristic voice and chuckle, both of which were indicative of his uplifting personality.
“Gil was so full of life,” he said.
During his time as dean, Cates would constantly ask for feedback from faculty and staff, showing a genuine respect for their work.
“He was decisive, and knew how to listen,” Rosen said. “He was a people person … (he) always felt he had (as much) to learn from people as to give.”
Cates also extended this courtesy to students, many of whom felt comfortable speaking with the directing giant, Rosen said.
“Someone who was of that high stature in the industry, a statesman in that industry, was not intimidating to students because he was very interested in what they were doing,” he said.
Even after leaving his position as dean, Cates was always willing to give counsel on matters ranging from the chancellor’s affairs to those relating to the School of Theater, Film and Television. These included archive activities and the expansion of intellectual activities at the school.
“He managed to do so much … and he made it seem so easy,” Rosen said. “(He was) someone who packed into one life, many lives.”
Cates was born as Gilbert Katz on June 6, 1934 in New York City. After graduating from Syracuse University with a major in theater, he broke into the theater business and then got into film and television. Over the years, Cates collected 84 nominations and 17 Emmy awards for his work. He is survived by his wife, Judith; sons David, Jonathan and Gil; daughter, Melissa; two stepchildren Anat and Ronit; and seven grandchildren.
A small private burial was held Friday, and a public memorial is currently being planned.