Hot Topics:

Stanley Dudelson dies at 83

Distribution exec served as chairman of Taurus

TV pioneer James Day dies at 89

Broadway's Peter Howard dies at 80

Writer/producer Larry Hertzog dies

Filmmaker, actress Kate Phillips dies

'Casablanca's' Joy Page dies at 83

Soul singer Al Wilson dies at 68

'New Moon' shines at box office(8026 views)

'New Moon' takes opening day record(1398 views)

Weitz digs 'Gardener'(935 views)

Oprah gets steamy with HBO(735 views)

ABC adopts 'Find My Family' show(664 views)

Few frontrunners for revamped Oscars(654 views)

Longtime distribution exec Stanley Dudelson, who most recently served as chairman of Taurus Entertainment, died April 26 of lung disease in Laguna Beach, Calif. He was 83.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dudelson started in the film business in Detroit as a salesman for Allied Artists. He went on to work as a sales manager for RKO Pictures, United Artists, Hygo Unity and Screen Gems. In 1964 he founded the television division of Sam Arkoff's American International Pictures, and became its first VP.

He joined the fledgling New Line Cinema in 1971 as president of distribution, founding the company's international division.

While at New Line he served as executive producer of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street II." He left New Line in 1985 to become President and CEO of Artist Entertainment Group and later founded Taurus Entertainment, which acquires and produces films for domestic and international distribution.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean; sons James, co-president/CEO of Taurus Ent.; Robert, co-president/CEO of Taurus Ent. and Mark; a daughter, Marlene, and six grandchildren.