Gilbert Cates plans to step down from center stage

By Brooke Olson
Daily Bruin Staff

Last week, the first dean of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and
Television announced that he would step down from his position
following the 1996-97 academic year after seven years at the helm
of the nationally ranked school.

In a letter to the school’s advisory board, Gilbert Cates said
he originally intended to stay for the first five years of the
school’s operation, but stayed beyond his original intent to ensure
the school’s continued academic and financial success.

"The excitement of the school, the joy of our accomplishments
… encouraged me to continue on past my commitment," Cates wrote.
"However, the school is in strong shape, and I believe the time has
come to plan for the future."

UCLA and the School will immediately begin a nationwide search
for a new dean, with Cates staying on until a qualified successor
is found, he said.

But Cates, who was unavailable for comment because he is on
sabbatical, will not be leaving the university altogether. As well
as remaining as a professor, Cates will continue as the associate
dean of development for the school and as producing director of the
UCLA Geffen Playhouse, located in Westwood.

Formed in January 1990 after the former College of Fine Arts was
restructured, the School of Theater, Film and Television is one of
the top three curricula for careers in the entertainment arts under
Cates’ direction.

Cates presided over the restructuring of the UCLA program,
recruiting a list of well-known industry talent and executives to
the school’s advisory board, including actors James Earl Jones, Tom
Hanks and Denzel Washington.

In 1994, the advisory board, under Cates’ guidance, formed the
first professional mentor program to help bridge the gap between
the academic world and the entertainment industry. Under the mentor
program, students from the school are paired with famous members of
the advisory board, allowing the participants direct access to
high-level decision makers.

Administrators and employees of the school praise Cates for
making it one of the most distinguished entertainment academies in
the nation.

"He is our founding dean. He developed a mission and a new
identity for us," said Delphine Frost, Cates’ assistant. "We
developed a logo, our own magazine and we’ve made great progress
under his leadership."

Described by friends and coworkers as a "friendly, hands-on
dean," Cates improved on the School both financially and
academically.

"We’ve become a lot more organized, a lot more visible under his
administration," said associate dean Vivian Sobchack. "Things are
done more rationally and fairly. (Cates) is always attuned and
interested in students’ progress and he is willing and able to
listen to students’ suggestions and implement them."

Cates’ achievements are not solely limited to the university. As
producer of the Academy Awards telecast from 1990 to 1995, Cates is
regarded as both a skilled film artist and a valuable producer
within the entertainment industry.

Born in New York City on June 6, 1934, Cates earned his
bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Syracuse University. He began
his career directing television and Broadway shows, including the
1960s game show "Across the Board."

Over the past two decades, Cates produced a number of television
dramatic specials, including the 1994 "Confessions: Two Faces of
Evil," starring James Earl Jones.

In 1993, UCLA purchased the Westwood Playhouse and Cates assumed
the role of producer at the theater. In 1995, the theater was
renamed the Geffen Playhouse after record mogul David Geffen and
his family made a sizeable donation to the university.

"Cates is responsible for the entire organization of the theatre
itself," said Gary Murphy, the Playhouse publicist. "We’ve been
very successful and Cates is a terrific man to work with – he’s one
of the most decent people I’ve met."

Cates also served two terms as president of the Directors Guild
of America from 1983 to 1987. Two years later, he received the
Guild’s highest honor – the Robert B. Aldrich Award for
extraordinary service to the membership.

In addition to receiving numerous other awards, Cates was
granted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995, after nearly
40 years in show business.

His decision to step down as dean came in light of his "desire
to return more actively to the jobs I love the most … directing
and producing," Cates wrote in the letter. "I will also be forever
committed to keeping our School the best of its kind in the
world."

Friends and coworkers agree that the dean’s shoes will be hard
to fill.

"Cates has a wonderful combination of industry clout and savvy
and he’s one of the most ethical people I’ve ever met," Sobchack
said. "He has a great ability to enthuse people and has been an
extraordinary force in this school – we’ll be lucky to find someone
who is as vibrant and enthusiastic as him."