Motion Picture Director, Producer. Born to parents of Russian-Jewish descent, he initially intended on an occupation in the medical field, but would follow his older brother television producer Joseph Cates into a career in entertainment. He first studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, and moved onto Syracuse University, from where he attained his BA and later MA. Upon graduation, he began producing TV game shows, among them "I've Got a Secret", and by the conclusion of the 1950s, he was involved with Broadway productions. Cates yielded two memorable plays in succession "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running" (1967), and "I Never Sang for My Father" (1968). The latter, a moving story on the subject of a father-son relationship, was made into a 1970 motion picture adaptation (which Cates directed and produced), starring Gene Hackman and Melvin Douglas. This led to a number of directing efforts, including "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams" (1973), "Dragonfly" (1976), "The Promise" (1979) and "Oh God, Book II" (1980). Cates served as president of the Directors Guild of America (1983 to 1987), dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (1990 to 1997) and was the producing director of the Westwood Playhouse (later named Geffen Playhouse). In addition, Cates was recognized as the producer of several Academy Award telecasts which earned him an Emmy Award in 1991. He was the uncle of actress Phoebe Cates. He was the recipient of a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1995, for his contributions to motion pictures.
Motion Picture Director, Producer. Born to parents of Russian-Jewish descent, he initially intended on an occupation in the medical field, but would follow his older brother television producer Joseph Cates into a career in entertainment. He first studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, and moved onto Syracuse University, from where he attained his BA and later MA. Upon graduation, he began producing TV game shows, among them "I've Got a Secret", and by the conclusion of the 1950s, he was involved with Broadway productions. Cates yielded two memorable plays in succession "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running" (1967), and "I Never Sang for My Father" (1968). The latter, a moving story on the subject of a father-son relationship, was made into a 1970 motion picture adaptation (which Cates directed and produced), starring Gene Hackman and Melvin Douglas. This led to a number of directing efforts, including "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams" (1973), "Dragonfly" (1976), "The Promise" (1979) and "Oh God, Book II" (1980). Cates served as president of the Directors Guild of America (1983 to 1987), dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (1990 to 1997) and was the producing director of the Westwood Playhouse (later named Geffen Playhouse). In addition, Cates was recognized as the producer of several Academy Award telecasts which earned him an Emmy Award in 1991. He was the uncle of actress Phoebe Cates. He was the recipient of a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1995, for his contributions to motion pictures.
Bio by: C.S.
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