Bruce Davis, Academy CEO, Dies at 83

Bruce Davis, the longtime chief executive of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has died at the age of 83 after a battle with leukemia. He served as the Academy's chief executive for 22 years, from 1989 to 2011, and had a profound impact on Hollywood and global cinema.

During his tenure, the Academy's staffing grew from 75 to 200, and he oversaw large-scale undertakings such as the relocation of the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library and the establishment of its film archive at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study. Davis was also a proponent of the Academy museum, which finally opened in 2021.

Davis joined the Academy in 1981 and became executive director in 1989, succeeding Jim Roberts. He was born on March 10, 1943, in Washington, D.C., and received an undergraduate degree in English from Juniata College in Pennsylvania and a master's degree in Medieval Literature from the University of Maryland.

In 2022, Davis published a book titled 'The Academy and the Award: The Coming of Age of Oscar and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences', which chronicled the history of the Academy. He also researched and found evidence that Eleanore Lilleberg may have coined the name 'Oscar' for the Academy Awards statue.

## Why it matters The death of Bruce Davis marks the end of an era for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His legacy will be remembered for his contributions to the growth and development of the organization, and his impact on Hollywood and global cinema. The Academy museum, which he championed for many years, will serve as a testament to his dedication to preserving the history of film.

Davis's passing has left a void in the film community, and his memory will be cherished by those who knew him and worked with him. His book, 'The Academy and the Award', will remain a valuable resource for film historians and enthusiasts, and his research on the origins of the Oscar statue will continue to fascinate film buffs.