Frank G. Mancuso Sr., the former movie studio executive who led Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1980s and 1990s, overseeing the release of box office hits such as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Fatal Attraction, The Untouchables, Coming to America And Ghostdied of cancer Thursday, October 1, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93 years old.
His death was announced by his family, which includes his son, producer Frank Mancuso Jr.
Mancuso, whose expertise spans sales, marketing and distribution, served as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures from 1984 to 1991, when the studio released the films mentioned above. He led MGM from 1993 to 1999, as the company rebuilt its film and television businesses and acquired Orion Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.
“When God created Frank Mancuso Sr., he broke the mold,” said 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 have been blessed with his friendship, support and guidance. I will miss him deeply and continue to be inspired by his example. Rest in peace, “Pops.”
Mancuso joined Paramount Pictures in 1962 as a sales manager in the company’s Buffalo branch and rose through the ranks over the next two decades, moving to Toronto, New York and finally Los Angeles. His promotional acumen, particularly in international markets, contributed to the commercial success of box office hits such as Saturday night fever And Raiders of the Lost Ark.
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Paramount enjoyed a string of box office successes during his seven-year tenure as chairman and CEO. The studio made three of the four highest-grossing films of 1987 domestically, led by Beverly Hills Cop II, Fatal Attraction (No. 3) and The Untouchables (No. 4). This happened after Paramount made the two biggest films of 1986 in North America with Top Gun And Crocodile Dundee. It is Ghost was the #1 film of 1990 at the domestic box office.
Born Frank George Mancuso on July 25, 1933, in Buffalo, New York, Mancuso worked as an usher for Buffalo’s Lafayette Theater during his high school years, eventually contributing to the venue’s daily operations and programming of live events and screenings.
During his 45-year career as a film director, Mancuso also served as governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (1986) and then secretary (1992). He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Motion Picture and Television Fund from 2003 to 2010.
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His family notes that his affable demeanor earned him the nickname “Gentleman Frank” and that he knew the names of his colleagues at every level, from the mailroom to the executive floor, and that he fostered a family atmosphere in the studios.
Mancuso married Frances (Fay) Susan Mauro, a fellow Buffalo native and childhood sweetheart, in 1957. She survives him, as does his son; his daughter Maria Mancuso, designer; daughter-in-law Kimberly Mancuso; grandchildren Noah Gersh, Emma Louise Ray, Giovanni Mancuso, Greta Harlan Gersh, Mila Rae Mancuso and James Lily Frances Gersh; grandson Eric David Ray; and great-granddaughter Lucca Frances Ray.
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