Oscars ringmaster Spoerri, 75, dies

2:08pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Otto Spoerri, dubbed "the ultimate arbiter of (film) industry power" because he determined seating at the Oscars ceremony, has died at the age of 75.

According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where he served as controller from 1978 to 2002, Spoerri died in his hometown of Zurich, Switzerland.

Though he oversaw accounting, he was better known for seating scores of movie stars and industry executives at the Academy Awards.

Spoerri downplayed the highly political task, saying: "It's just working with the producer of the broadcast to make sure that where people sit makes the show flow smoothly."

The academy did not reveal the cause of Spoerri's death. He is survived by his first and second wife, two children and two grandchildren.