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Spider-Man Producer Laura Ziskin Dead at 61

Zisken's 35-year career included Pretty Woman, As Good As It Gets

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 13, 2011 9:45 AM CDT

(AP) – 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.

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)

Producer Laura Ziskin and actress Kirsten Dunst attend the premiere of the Sony film 'Spider-Man 2' on June 22, 2004 at the Mann Village Theater, in Westwood, California. (Getty Images)

Producer and cancer survivor Laura Ziskin attends a press conference to announce the City of Los Angeles declaring September 10th as 'Stand Up To Cancer Day' on September 8, 2010 in California. (Getty Images)

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, left, and producer Laura Ziskin of the Stand Up to Cancer Executive Committee pose together before the Stand Up to Cancer benefit in Los Angeles Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Actress Christina Applegate (L) and producer Laura Ziskin arrive at Stand Up To Cancer held at Sony Pictures Studios on September 10, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Getty Images)

Producer Laura Ziskin (L) and actress Maura Tierney arrive at Stand Up To Cancer held at Sony Pictures Studios on September 10, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Getty Images)

Actor Brad Garrett (L) and producer Laura Ziskin speak during the Second annual Television Academy Honors Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 30, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty Images)

Producer Laura Ziskin arrives at the 2011 Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

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Spider-Man Producer Laura Ziskin Dead at 61

Zisken's 35-year career included Pretty Woman, As Good As It Gets

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