Home · Entertainment · Oct 7 archive
Frank Mancuso Sr., Paramount and MGM Head, Dies at 93
Confirmed
In Short: Frank Mancuso Sr., a former chief of Paramount Pictures and MGM/UA, died of cancer on Thursday, October 1, at his home in Los Angeles.
Frank Mancuso Sr., a former chief of Paramount Pictures and MGM/UA, died of cancer on Thursday, October 1, at his home in Los Angeles. Mancuso, who was born Frank George Mancuso on July 25, 1933, in Buffalo, New York, began his career as an usher at the Lafayette Theater during his high school years.
Mancuso joined Paramount Pictures in 1962 as a sales executive in the company’s Buffalo branch and ascended through the ranks over the next two decades, relocating to Toronto, New York City, and finally Los Angeles. He served as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures from 1984 to 1991, overseeing the release of major box office hits such as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, and Ghost.
During his tenure at Paramount, Mancuso’s expertise in sales, marketing, and distribution helped the studio achieve a string of box office successes. Paramount had the two biggest films of 1986 in North America with Top Gun and Crocodile Dundee, and Mancuso’s leadership continued to produce hits throughout his seven-year tenure.
Mancuso also oversaw the release of films like Fatal Attraction, The Untouchables, and Coming to America. He applied similar instincts to a studio in need of a cultural revival when he took over MGM in the 1990s.
Mancuso’s professional success was matched by his affable demeanor and family-like atmosphere at the studios. He was known as “Gentleman Frank” and was a governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1986 and its secretary in 1992.
Despite his professional achievements, Mancuso cited his family as his proudest accomplishment. He was ousted by Martin Davis in favor of producer Stanley Jaffe and filed a $45 million breach of contract lawsuit, eventually receiving a reported $20 million in a settlement.
Mancuso’s cultural impact extended beyond any single film. He pioneered the synergy of music videos and soundtracks with motion pictures, most prominently with Saturday Night Fever and Flashdance.
Andy Garcia, who landed his Oscar-nominated role in The Godfather III at Mancuso’s suggestion, said, “When God created Frank Mancuso Sr., he broke the mold.” Garcia added, “This is not just a saying but the absolute truth. Mr. Mancuso will forever be a beacon of class in our industry, the greatest example of warmth, integrity, and generosity.”
What this adds
Mancuso’s nephew, Richard Carney, announced his uncle’s death in a Facebook post on October 1. Mancuso’s career at Paramount included a 20-month stint as president of Paramount’s motion picture group before he was selected to take over the studio in September 1984.
Background
He joined Paramount Pictures in 1962 as a sales executive and ascended through the ranks over the next two decades, relocating to Toronto, New York City, and finally Los Angeles.
What's confirmed
- “When God created Frank Mancuso Sr., he broke the mold,” Andy Garcia, who landed his Oscar-nominated role in The Godfather III at Mancuso’s suggestion, said in a statement.
- “This is not just a saying but the absolute truth. Mr. Mancuso will forever be a beacon of class in our industry, the greatest example of warmth, integrity, and generosity. I had the blessing of his friendship, support, and guidance. I will miss him deeply and will continue to be inspired by his example. Rest in peace, ‘Pops.’” Mancuso joined Paramount Pictures in 1962 as a sales executive in the company’s Buffalo branch and ascended through the ranks over the next two decades, relocating to Toronto, New York City and finally Los Angeles.
What's still developing
- Mancuso’s nephew, Richard Carney, announced his uncle’s death in a Facebook post Oct. 1.
- MORE: Former Stanley Cup champion, 16-year NHL veteran dies suddenly at 58 Paramount produced two sports titles under Mancuso’s watch — Major League and Days of Thunder — that became regarded as classics.
- At Paramount, Mancuso’s name became attached to an extraordinary collection of films: Top Gun, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Crocodile Dundee, Fatal Attraction, The Untouchables, The Hunt for Red October, Ghost and The Addams Family, along with entries in the Star Trek, Indiana Jones and Beverly Hills Cop franchises.
- He was serving a 20-month stint as president of Paramount’s motion picture group when Martin Davis, chairman and CEO of parent conglomerate Gulf & Western, selected him over Michael Eisner to take over the flagging studio in September 1984.
- In the wake of the expensive 1990 sequel misfires as The Two Jakes and The Godfather Part III, Davis gave Mancuso a new boss, producer Stanley R.
- Mancuso started out as a part-time usher at the 3,500-seat Lafayette Theatre, then was named assistant manager while still a student at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
- He remained at the helm until 1999, when he retired.
- Starting in 1993, with the support of Crédit Lyonnais, Mancuso helped pare down the debt and start churning out successful movies.
- With production headed for a time by the experienced Ned Tanen, Mancuso continued Paramount’s winning ways, only to fall out with the studio at the end of the raucous ’80s when recession hit and he had a few costly flops.