David Begelman

Gladyce Begelman, wife of film executive David Begelman, died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she had been undergoing treatment for leukemia. She was 55. Mrs. Begelman was a member of numerous organizations, including the Amazing Blue Ribbon 400, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Women's Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California School of Social Work.

Cliff Robertson , who starred as John F. Kennedy in a 1963 World War II drama and later won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a mentally disabled bakery janitor in the movie "Charly," died Saturday, one day after his 88th birthday. Robertson, who also played a real-life role as the whistle-blower in the check-forging scandal of then-Columbia Pictures President David Begelman that rocked Hollywood in the late 1970s, died at Stony Brook University Medical Center on New York's Long Island, according to Evelyn Christel, his longtime personal secretary.

David Begelman, the former superagent and Columbia Pictures president whose check-forging scandal in the 1970s became a symbol of Hollywood corruption, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide late Monday, authorities said. Begelman had apparently contacted friends from his hotel room at the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower in Century City several times during the day.

What part, if any, did Hollywood's social excess and heady, all-consuming business play in the apparent suicide of a former star agent who appeared to have it all--money, power, status and youth? It's a lingering question following the death of former wunderkind Jay Moloney, who was found hanged Tuesday morning in the shower of his Mulholland Drive house, just two days after his 35th birthday.

This story will be the same 10 years from now, just as it was reflected in the embezzling case of David Begelman at Columbia years ago. The names and dollar figures change, but egos and greed remain the same. It was a nice article but nothing new. PATRICK K. GALLAGHER Long Beach

Are gangster movies making a comeback? We're told that Michael Cimino is close to signing (if he hasn't already) to direct the screen version of Mario Puzo's "The Sicilian." Boasted a publicist for producer David Begelman, this isn't just another Godfather movie: "It's the story of a 20-year-old named Turi Guiliano who took on the church and the Italian government and was gunned down at an early age."

Three Hollywood outsiders who have at times worked within the Hollywood Establishment will try to film "Indecent Exposure," David McClintick's 1982 best-selling book about the innermost workings of the film industry, revolving around the 1977 financial scandal involving then-Columbia Pictures production president David Begelman. The team: producer Elliott Kastner, director John Avildsen and screenwriter Jack Willis.

Hollywood's three major talent guilds on Wednesday petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles to liquidate Gladden Entertainment--the film production company of onetime studio chief David Begelman and sports mogul Bruce McNall--for allegedly failing to pay $4.1 million in residuals to actors, directors and writers. The Chapter 7 involuntary bankruptcy filing means a return to the spotlight for Gladden President Begelman, who was ousted as Columbia Pictures president in the late 1970s.

David Begelman is back . . . again. The veteran producer and studio executive, who's still best remembered for his starring role in the check-forging scandal that rocked Hollywood in the 1970s, is in advanced negotiations to secure financing for a new production company. Begelman's partner would be Sidney Kimmel, a Pennsylvania-based clothing magnate who has dabbled in the movie business.

"The Sicilian" may or may not turn out to be a finely crafted historical saga. But it is certain to present producer David Begelman and distributor 20th Century Fox with one of the more ticklish marketing challenges of this fall. Because of contractual limitations, the movie's makers will have to sell their outlaw epic without so much as mentioning "The Godfather"--even though it is based on a Mario Puzo novel that was written as a companion piece to the author's Mafia classic.

Even for the rich and famous, Hollywood can be a rough town. Money, power and status come at a price. For David Begelman, the price was his life. Struggling desperately to maintain a lavish lifestyle in the face of business setbacks, and trying to start over at the age of 73, the former super-agent and scandal-ridden Columbia Pictures president decided to bail out.

David Begelman, the former super-agent and Columbia Pictures president whose check-forging scandal in the 1970s became a symbol of Hollywood corruption, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide late Monday, authorities said. Begelman's body was found in a room at the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower in Century City shortly after 10 p.m. by hotel security, authorities said.

David Begelman is back . . . again. The veteran producer and studio executive, who's still best remembered for his starring role in the check-forging scandal that rocked Hollywood in the 1970s, is in advanced negotiations to secure financing for a new production company. Begelman's partner would be Sidney Kimmel, a Pennsylvania-based clothing magnate who has dabbled in the movie business.

Hollywood's three major talent guilds on Wednesday petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles to liquidate Gladden Entertainment--the film production company of onetime studio chief David Begelman and sports mogul Bruce McNall--for allegedly failing to pay $4.1 million in residuals to actors, directors and writers. The Chapter 7 involuntary bankruptcy filing means a return to the spotlight for Gladden President Begelman, who was ousted as Columbia Pictures president in the late 1970s.

This story will be the same 10 years from now, just as it was reflected in the embezzling case of David Begelman at Columbia years ago. The names and dollar figures change, but egos and greed remain the same. It was a nice article but nothing new. PATRICK K. GALLAGHER Long Beach

Three Hollywood outsiders who have at times worked within the Hollywood Establishment will try to film "Indecent Exposure," David McClintick's 1982 best-selling book about the innermost workings of the film industry, revolving around the 1977 financial scandal involving then-Columbia Pictures production president David Begelman. The team: producer Elliott Kastner, director John Avildsen and screenwriter Jack Willis.

Even for the rich and famous, Hollywood can be a rough town. Money, power and status come at a price. For David Begelman, the price was his life. Struggling desperately to maintain a lavish lifestyle in the face of business setbacks, and trying to start over at the age of 73, the former super-agent and scandal-ridden Columbia Pictures president decided to bail out.