Veteran producer Laura Ziskin, whose many credits included the spectacularly successful "Spider-Man" franchise, died Monday of breast cancer at her Santa Monica home. She was 61.
Ziskin, one of Hollywood's most influential female producers, was working on the reboot of "The Amazing Spider-Man," expected to be released next year, at the time of her death, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"She was the creative guiding light for all of us who loved and worked with her. She was also a frustrating perfectionist and that's why she was simply the best," Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal said in a statement published in the Hollywood Reporter. "We are heartbroken and miss her terribly already -- as a producer, as an advocate for cancer research, but most importantly, as an irreplaceable friend."
The films she produced over a three-decade career included not only all three installments released so far in the "Spider-Man" franchise but also the 1987 thriller "No Way Out," the 1990 romantic comedy "Pretty Woman" and the 1997 dramedy "As Good As It Gets."
Ziskin, who fought a 7-year battle with breast cancer, was also known for her efforts in helping to found Stand Up to Cancer, a research initiative she launched with Katie Couric, former Paramount chief Sherry Lansing and others in 2008.
A memorial is being planned, Variety reported on its website. The family requests that donations be made to Stand Up 2 Cancer through the organization's website.
