Richard Kahn, former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation who run the Oscars, has died at the age of 95 in Los Angeles. The film legend died on Saturday (April 6). Richard was a longtime film marketing executive who served as president of the Academy from 1988 to 1989. Throughout his six-decade Hollywood career he worked at Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and oversaw publicity campaigns, working on acclaimed films including The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Guns of Navarone, Lawrence of Arabia, A Man for All Seasons, Funny Girl, Oliver!, The Sunshine Boys, Network and Clash of the Titans.

His daughters Sharon Kahn and Lisa Kahn Feldstern paid tribute to their father saying: "Our Dad had a kind and generous soul, a wry sense of humor and was a wonderful father. We will miss him dearly."

Current Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang also paid tribute to the late marketeer.

“All of us at the Academy are deeply saddened to learn of Richard’s passing," they said. "Richard was a devoted member of the Academy and the film community at large.

"During his time on the board, both as our President and as a governor for many years, he played a vital role in establishing traditions that remain today. His vision and leadership leave an indelible mark.

"He remained a friend to so many, and our thoughts are with his family at this time," they concluded.

Richard joined the Academy in 1964 as part of the Marketing and Public Relations Branch, and served on the Branch Executive Committee for 15 years.

In addition to his time spent as president, he spent 12 years serving as an Academy governor, five terms as Vice President and one as Secretary.

He helped launch initiatives such as new member receptions and headed the committee which created the now iconic Nominees Luncheon in 1982.

He is survived by his daughters, his son-in-law, the Honorable Daniel Feldstern, and his grandson and his wife, Nick and Jenn Fasulo-Feldstern.