December 7, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Toni Thompson - (310) 247-3000
                        tthompson@oscars.org

Louis J. Horvitz to Direct 77th Annual Academy Awards®

	Louis J. Horvitz, Director of the 77th Annual Academy Awards Telecast.

Beverly Hills , CA - Director Louis J. Horvitz will call the shots at the 77th Annual Academy Award® telecast, show producer Gil Cates has announced.

"Lou's a pro and a real artist," said Cates. "I love working with him and you can always bet he'll give you the absolute best show possible."

Fresh off receiving his fourth Emmy Award, three of which have come for his Oscar telecast work, this will be Horvitz's ninth time overall directing the Academy Awards show.

"Gil Cates' call to direct the Oscars again was as electrifying as the first call I got from him 9 years ago," said Horvitz. "Gil's enthusiasm is unbridled and contagious. He couldn't wait to share all of his astonishing and amazing new ideas for 'streamlining' the telecast. And how awesome is it that Gil, Frank Pierson and the Academy have invited Chris Rock to the party? I'm just delighted I got an invitation as well. We're gonna 'Rock' the house."

Horvitz currently is working as director of "The Kennedy Center Honors" for the 13th time and in September directed his 11th Primetime Emmy Awards. He recently also served his 13th stint as co-producer/director of "The People's Choice Awards," his 9th year as executive producer-director of "An Evening of Stars" and his 11th year as director of "The American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award."

In a career that has spanned three decades, Horvitz has helmed numerous other high-profile programs including the Daytime Emmy Awards, "The Kids Choice Awards," "CBS at 75," "Lifetime's Achievement Awards: Women Changing the World," VH-1's "DIVAS," "Macy's July 4th Spectacular," "The 2004 MTV-Movie Awards," "The Bad Boys of Comedy," "The VH-1 Concert for New York City" benefiting survivors of 9/11 and the "U2 Half Time at the Superbowl."

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2004 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland®. The Oscars® will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST , beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos are available at http://photos.oscars.org

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