Award Central News

In what will be his 14th assignment, Cates will produce this year's Academy Awards on Feb. 24 from the Kodak Theater, telecast live on ABC. Cates has produced the show more times than anyone else.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Sid Ganis made the announcement Monday morning.

"I love the Oscars, and it's a great treat to be asked back for the 80th presentation," Cates said.

Cates most recently produced the Oscarcast in 2006. His 13 installments to date have earned 99 Emmy nominations and 25 wins, including a win in the category of variety, comedy or music program for the Cates-produced 1991 telecast.

Cates is "so creative and inventive, and so enormously passionate about the Oscars," Ganis said.

As a film producer and director, Cates' pics "I Never Sang for My Father" and "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams" have earned Oscar nominations.

He has served as a producing director at Geffen Playhouse and is a former member of the Acad's board of governors, representing the directors' branch for two separate terms.