Spider-Man Producer Laura Ziskin Dead at 61

Zisken's 35-year career included Pretty Woman, As Good As It Gets
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 13, 2011 9:45 AM CDT
Laura Zisken Dies: 'Spider-Man' Producer Dead at 61
Sony's Amy Pascal, actor Tobey Maguire, and producer Laura Ziskin attend the premiere of the Sony film 'Spider-Man 2' on June 22, 2004 at the Mann Village Theater, in Westwood, California.   (Getty Images)

Laura Ziskin, a veteran producer whose films include the Spider-Man movies and Pretty Woman, has died at age 61. Ziskin, who had breast cancer, died yesterday at her home in Santa Monica, reports the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Over her 35-year career, Ziskin was producer or executive producer of films such as No Way Out with Kevin Costner and As Good As It Gets, which won Oscars for Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. She produced the three hit Spider-Man movies and was working on the fourth at the time of her death.

Ziskin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and became an activist, forming the group Stand Up to Cancer with other women in the entertainment industry and media. It has raised more than $200 million to fight the disease. (More Spider-Man stories.)

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