Richard Kahn, Former President of the Motion Picture Academy, Dies at 95

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Richard Kahn, who once served as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during a time that included the 1989 Oscars, known for the controversial Rob Lowe-Snow White musical number, passed away at the age of 95.

The first leader of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) from its marketing and PR department, Kahn, passed away on Saturday in Los Angeles. This was announced by his daughters, Sharon Kahn and Lisa Kahn Feldstern. In a statement they shared, “Our father had a warm heart, a great sense of humor, and was an exceptional dad. We will deeply miss him.”

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Kahn, who served as the first head of AMPAS from its marketing and PR division, died on Saturday in Los Angeles according to his daughters, Sharon Kahn and Lisa Kahn Feldstern. They stated, “Our father was known for his kind and generous spirit, witty humor, and exceptional parenting skills. We will dearly miss him.

Following stints at Columbia Pictures and MGM, Kahn assumed the role of Academy president from Robert Wise in August 1988 for a one-year tenure, which was later taken over by actor Karl Malden.

As a member of the PR branch, it was Kahn who came up with the brilliant idea for the Oscar Nominees Luncheon, which took place for the first time in 1982. A few years after that, he established the custom of presenting each honoree with an Oscar logo-embroidered sweatshirt as a gift.

Back in 1989, I was glued to the Academy Awards telecast, a spectacular event produced by Allan Carr that drew a whopping 29.8 rating. However, it’s this unforgettably disastrous 15-minute opening number that left an indelible mark. Starring Lowe and an actress in Snow White attire, the performance was nothing short of extravagant and, well, let’s just say it wasn’t a high point for either of them!

The performance featured dancing tables, Merv Griffin singing his 1950s hit “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts”, along with a procession of veteran movie stars. Later on, Lowe (who had never sung in public before) and Snow White performed a rendition of “Proud Mary.

“People either liked it very much or they disliked it very much,” Kahn said.

Following the broadcast, The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit against the Academy, alleging that the show had misused and irreversibly harmed Snow White. In response, the Academy expressed regret over the unauthorized use of the character and for giving the impression, albeit unintentionally, that Disney was involved or endorsed the production number.

Subsequently, seventeen notable figures from Hollywood, which includes Julie Andrews, Stanley Donen, Sidney Lumet, William Friedkin, Larry Gelbart, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, and Billy Wilder, penned a letter expressing their disapproval. They stated that the entire incident was a source of shame for the Academy as well as the entire film industry. In their view, it is inappropriate and unacceptable to honor the best cinematic achievements in such a disrespectful manner.

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Later on, seventeen prominent Hollywood figures, among them Julie Andrews, Stanley Donen, Sidney Lumet, William Friedkin, Larry Gelbart, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, and Billy Wilder, expressed their disappointment in a letter. They considered the whole event to be a source of embarrassment for both the Academy and the entire film industry. According to them, it was neither fitting nor acceptable to recognize the best work in cinema with such disregard.

In response, Kahn established a committee for the Oscar telecast with the aim of understanding the reasons behind current events and deciding on appropriate actions for the future.

1929 saw the birth of Kahn in New Rochelle, New York. After completing his education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he embarked on a 20-year career in advertising and publicity with Columbia Pictures.

At Columbia University, he played a significant role in promoting some exceptional movies, such as “The Bridge on the River Kwai” from 1957, “The Guns of Navarone” from 1961, “Lawrence of Arabia” from 1962, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” from 1964, “A Man for All Seasons” from 1966, “Funny Girl” from 1968, and “Oliver!” from the same year.

He began working for MGM in 1975, eventually ascending to the position of President of MGM International and later Executive Vice President of Marketing after United Artists was purchased in 1981. During his tenure there, he played a key role in launching marketing campaigns for films such as “The Sunshine Boys” (1975), “Network” (1976), “Fame” (1980), “Clash of the Titans” (1981), and numerous other prominent productions.

Kahn has been a part of the Marketing & Public Relations division within the Academy since 1964. For fifteen years, he served on its executive committee. Additionally, he held the position of Academy Governor for twelve years, during which he also served five times as Vice President and once as Secretary.

He played a significant role in initiating the annual worldwide Academy member receptions that we have today.

In 1983, Kahn together with his spouse, Marianne Kahn, launched a film marketing consulting firm. Until 1989, he also served as an adjunct faculty member at the USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program.

From 1985 to 1995, he served as the executive chairman of the Film Information Council, and from 1987 to 2001, he was a member of the board for the Will Rogers Memorial Fund. In the year 2000, he was honored with The Hollywood Reporter’s Key Art Pioneer Award in recognition of his innovative contributions to the entertainment industry.

He once told THR that his favorite movie was the 1938 classic The Adventures of Robin Hood.

Apart from his daughters, the survivors also consist of his son-in-law Daniel, grandson Nick, and granddaughter-in-law Jenn. He had been married to Marianne for a remarkable 63 years before she passed away in December 2016.

In their statement, the leaders of AMPAS, Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, referred to Kahn as a deeply committed Academy member and an integral part of the broader film industry.

Throughout his tenure on the board, serving as president and governor for numerous years, he significantly contributed to creating traditions that persist till now,” they noted. “His foresight and guidance have left an indelible imprint. He was a cherished friend to many, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult period.

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2025-04-10 01:55