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Showbiz Scribe Army Archerd Dead at 87

Column appeared in Variety for 52 years

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2009 9:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – Army Archerd, who chronicled Hollywood for 52 years as a columnist for Variety, died today of mesothelioma, the showbiz publication reports. He was 87; the cancer was thought to be related to exposure to asbestos during World War II. He was known for injecting a social consciousness into his reporting, which first appeared Oct. 18, 1945; his last blog post was July 27.

Archerd was among the earliest to publicize the AIDS diagnosis given actor Rock Hudson, the first major celebrity linked to the disease. Though he often struck a lighter, more quotidian note in his columns, he was known for taking up for Jewish issues, and often criticized the National Rifle Association and actor Charlton Heston’s affiliation with it.

Army Archerd, left, and his wife, Selma, are seen with Regis Philbin at a 2002 event honoring the start of Archerd's 50th year with the entertainment newspaper Variety, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Army Archerd, left, and his wife, Selma, are seen with Regis Philbin at a 2002 event honoring the start of Archerd's 50th year with the entertainment newspaper Variety, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (AP Photo)
Army Archerd and his wife Selma arrive for opening night of the Newport Beach (Calif.) Film Festival, April 24, 2008.
Army Archerd and his wife Selma arrive for opening night of the Newport Beach (Calif.) Film Festival, April 24, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Famed Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd is seen in a 2006 photo.
Famed Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd is seen in a 2006 photo.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
brawne
Sep 9, 2009 4:25 AM CDT
And sorry,you know I meant Army but I was so gobsmacked that I was a bit befuddled.
brawne
Sep 9, 2009 4:21 AM CDT
So, Amy Archerd, part of the Chicago underworld takeover of Hollywood which started with Lew Wasserman and Stein and MCA (Stein was like a twin to Al Capone) gets a RIP from Mrsk but Cronkite got a 'you commie'? WTF? No, I meant what the fuck?
MrsK
Sep 9, 2009 3:07 AM CDT
R.I.P.

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