Walter Mirisch, the producer of Academy Award winner In the Heat of the Night and a former Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president, passed away at age 101 on February 24 in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed on Saturday by the Motion Picture Academy CEO Bill Kramer, and Academy President, Janet Yang stated:

“The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is deeply saddened to hear of Walter’s passing…Walter was a true visionary, both as a producer and as an industry leader. He had a powerful impact on the film community and the Academy, serving as our President and as an Academy governor for many years. His passion for filmmaking and the Academy never wavered, and he remained a dear friend and advisor. We send our love and support to his family during this difficult time.”

Mirisch was president of the Academy for four terms from 1973 to 1977 and served as an Academy Governor for 15 years. He was a well-known producer who founded 1957 his own company next to his siblings: The Mirisch Company. Some films they produced were Some Like It Hot,  The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Pink Panther, and The Thomas Crown Affair. Their Company was also involved in three Best Picture winners: The Apartment, West Side Story, and In the Heat of the Night.

In 1978 he was honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, and In 1983 received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his.

Director Steven Spielberg made a statement referring to the life of the producer, who he remembered as a treasured friend:

“Walter cut a gigantic figure in the film industry and his movies were trailblazing classics that covered every genre, while never failing to entertain audiences around the world…He achieved so much in life and in the industry — if you live to be 101 and produced ‘The Apartment,’ I’d say it’s been a good run.”

“He knew a good story when he found one, and fought tooth and nail to get it on the screen…He loved the Academy as much as anyone in our history… I cherished our lunches in the Universal commissary over the years and he was as generous with his advice as he was with his friendship. I’m both a better director and a better person for having known Walter.”

Mirisch is survived by his children Anne, Andrew, and Lawrence, a granddaughter, and two great-grandsons.