MUMBAI: Former president of Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Tom Sherak passed away on Tuesday, 28 January at his home in Calabas out of complications due to a long battle of 12 years with prostate cancer. At the age of 68, Sherak succumbed to his long suffering illness.

Before serving three consecutive one-year terms as president of the Academy through August 2012, Sherak had a long career at 20th Century FOX and then at Revolution Studios. Sherak brought changes to the awards, expanding the best picture nominations from five to as many as 10. He pushed the Academy to skew its annual awards show to appeal to younger viewers.

Sherak was named Los Angeles film czar by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti in September to lead Garcetti’s efforts to support the local entertainment industry and increase local production in the city. He also was serving as a trusted adviser to Oscar-nominated American Hustle and producer Megan Ellison (Her) and to her producing brother, David Ellison (World War Z).