Richard Kahn, a former president and longtime governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who also had a long career in film publicity and marketing, died April 5 in Los Angeles, the Academy announced. He was 95.
“All of us at the Academy are deeply saddened to learn of Richard’s passing,” CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a statement. “Richard was a devoted member of the Academy and the film community at large.”
Kahn was elected the 26th president of the Academy in August 1988, succeeding Robert Wise, and served one term. He also served 12 years as an Academy governor. He previously had been elected to five terms as Vice President and one as Secretary during his tenure. He was a member of the Marketing and Public Relations Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1964 and served on its Branch Executive Committee for 15 years.
“During his time on the board, both as our President and as a governor for many years, he played a vital role in establishing traditions that remain today,” Kramer and Yang added. “His vision and leadership leave an indelible mark. He remained a friend to so many, and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Kahn helped launch many initiatives at the Academy, including the its new member receptions, which now are held annually across the globe. He also headed the Public Relations Coordinating Committee, which created the Academy’s first Nominees Luncheon in 1982.
During a career that spanned six decades, he had stints in marketing at Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, working on such classic films as The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Guns of Navarone, Lawrence of Arabia, A Man for All Seasons, Funny Girl, Oliver!, The Sunshine Boys, Network and Clash of the Titans.
Born on August 19, 1929, in New Rochelle, NY, Kahn began a two-decade tenure at Columbia Pictures following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and service as a U.S. Navy officer during the Korean War. He joined MGM in 1975, rising to president of MGM International and later EVP Marketing for the combined MGM and United Artists after its 1981 acquisition.
In 1983, Kahn launched a film marketing consultancy with his wife, Marianne Kahn, and served as an adjunct professor at USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program until 1989. He also led the Film Information Council as executive chairman from 1985-95 and served on the board of the Will Rogers Memorial Fund from 1987-2001. In 2000, he received Key Art Pioneer Award from our sister publication The Hollywood Reporter for his creative contributions to the entertainment industry.
He appeared also appeared in the documentaries Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2000) and Inside: Doctor Strangelove (2007).
“Our Dad had a kind and generous soul, a wry sense of humor and was a wonderful father. We will miss him dearly,” his daughters Sharon Kahn and Lisa Kahn Feldstern said in a statement.
Kahn also is survived by son-in-law Daniel Feldstern; a grandson, Nick, and his wife Jenn Fasulo-Feldstern.
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