Fay Kanin dies but leaves screenwriting legacy

Fay Kanin dies: She was a former president of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Fay Kanin also won two screenwriting Emmys and an Emmy as producer of the 1979 TV special 'Friendly Fire.'

Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Fay Kanin has died. She was 95.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Kanin's death Wednesday. She served as president of the U.S. film academy from 1979 to 1983.

'She was committed to the Academy's preservation work and instrumental in expanding our public programming. A tireless mentor and inspiration to countless filmmakers, Fay's passion for film continues to inspire us daily," said the Academy in a statement. "Our prayers and condolences go out to her loved ones.”

Kanin was nominated for an Academy Award for 1958's "Teacher's Pet" alongside her husband and writing partner, Michael Kanin. The film starred Clark Gable and Doris Day.

Fay Kanin was also recognized for her television contributions, winning two screenwriting Emmys in 1974 and another for producing the TV special "Friendly Fire" in 1979. Kanin also got a Tony nomination in 1985 for her book to the musical “Grind.”

According to Variety:

"In addition to her tenure as AMPAS president from 1979-83, Kanin was chair of the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress for two decades, served on the boards of the Academy and of the American Film Institute, was president of the Screen Branch of the Writers Guild of America and served as an officer of the Writers Guild Foundation.

Then-Paramount chief Sherry Lansing told writer Cari Beauchamp in 2001 that Kanin is “one of the great women of our time. She is an excellent writer, an exceptional leader, an extraordinary role model and a personal inspiration to me.”

Details on Kanin's survivors and cause of death were not immediately available.