August 7, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leslie Unger - (310) 247-3000

	Joe Roth Named Telecast Producer for 76th Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA - 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 & Highland^TM.

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.

Revolution Studios is partnered with Sony Pictures entertainment, Starz Encore Group and Fox Entertainment Group. Its films include 2001's "America's Sweethearts," which Roth directed; "Black Hawk Down," which won two Academy Awards^®; "XXX," "Maid in Manhattan," "Anger Management" and "Daddy Day Care." Upcoming releases include "Mona Lisa Smile," "The Missing" and "Peter Pan."

From August 1994 through January 2000, Roth ran Walt Disney Studios, first as chairman of the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, then from April 1996, as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Roth served as chairman of 20th Century Fox from July 1989 until November 1992, when, with Roger Birnbaum, he formed Caravan Pictures. Prior to Twentieth Century Fox, Roth was an independent producer/director, co-founding Morgan Creek Pictures, for which he produced such films as "Young Guns," "Dead Ringers," "Major League" and "Bachelor Party." Roth directed "Streets of Gold" and "Revenge of the Nerds II" for Twentieth Century Fox and "Coupe De Ville" for Universal Pictures.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2003 will be presented on February 29, 2004, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^TM and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. (PST) with a half-hour arrivals segment.

Editors Please Note: A downloadable photo of Joe Roth is available on the Academy's website http://photos.oscars.org/