Sony Pictures Entertainment on Wednesday announced that its naming the open space at the center of its Culver City lot "John Calley Park," in honor of its former studio chief, who died in September at the age of 81.
Speaking at a dedication event Wednesday on the Sony lot attended by Calley's family and friends, studio co-chair Amy Pascal said, “John came in as a steadying ‘center of gravity’ for the studio. He gave all of us what we needed to come together as a company and also gave us an infusion of life and a sense of togetherness that the studio did not have before.”
Here's the full Sony press release:
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT DEDICATES PARK TO JOHN CALLEY
CULVER CITY, CA – October 19, 2011 – Sony Pictures Entertainment (http://www.sonypictures.com) today revealed the naming of John Calley Park in honor of the late, former Chairman of the studio; it was announced by chairman and chief executive officer Michael Lynton and co-chairman Amy Pascal at a dedication ceremony attended by studio employees. The newly-named park is located in the center of the studio’s historic 44 ½ acre lot and serves as a central gathering spot for employees and visitors.
Speaking at the dedication, Pascal said: “John came in as a steadying ‘center of gravity’ for the studio. He gave all of us what we needed to come together as a company and also gave us an infusion of life and a sense of togetherness that the studio did not have before.”
Pascal continued: “When Michael and I thought about building this park, we wanted it to be a gathering place for everybody. When John died, it seemed the perfect name to call it.”
Lynton added: “We are all better off thanks to John’s years on this lot, and the world is better off thanks to the wonderful entertainment he left in his considerable wake. It is with great honor that we dedicate this park to John Calley.”
In addition to the park dedication, the studio today held a memorial service in honor of Mr. Calley, which was attended by hundreds of friends and family.
Mr. Calley formerly served as chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which he joined in 1996 following successful terms as studio chief at Warner Bros. in the 1970s and MGM/United Artists in the 1990s.
Known as much for his business acumen as his creative instincts, Mr. Calley was a low-key, erudite and respected executive whose relationships touched every corner of the industry.
Mr. Calley was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in 2009 with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. At the time, the Academy recognized “his intellectual rigor, sophisticated artistic sensibilities and calm, understated manner” calling Mr. Calley “one of the most trusted and admired figures in Hollywood.”
