Producer-director-studio chief Joe Roth has been tapped to produce the 76th Annual Academy Awards telecast, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Frank Pierson announced today.
It will be Roth’s first involvement with the production of an Oscar® telecast. The February 29, 2004, telecast will be telecast live from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & HighlandTM.
Roth, who headed three studios before forming Revolution Studios in May 2000, has produced, co-produced or executive produced more than three dozen films over the past 25 years. Roth also has directed four films.
“The Academy Awards telecast represents the motion picture industry to hundreds of millions of viewers around the globe,” Pierson said. “It requires a sure hand and a creative mind and with next year’s foreshortened production schedule, it will require someone who works well in a whirlwind. I’m sure we’ve found that person in Joe Roth.”
“The Academy Awards are the ultimate celebration of the motion picture industry, and to be chosen as the producer of this iconic event is an honor,” said Roth. “I have been involved in filmmaking for almost 30 years, and the opportunity to recognize the remarkable achievements of this year’s honorees is an exciting undertaking. With the support and dedication of all those involved, I am confident that it will be a memorable show for audiences around the world.”
The 76th Oscar telecast will again be preceded by the Academy’s official arrivals pre-show from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Roth also will serve as executive producer of that show.