Steven Miessner
Encyclopedia
Steven Paul Miessner was an American
administrator of the Academy Awards
for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
. Miessner was nicknamed the "Keeper of the Oscars" for his dedication to the administration of the golden statuette awarded during the film industry's most important award ceremony
.
Miessner joined the staff of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2002. He became responsible for the upkeep, administration and security
of the Oscar statues for the Academy Awards. His position was a year round responsibility. Miessner would take responsibility of the Oscar statuettes upon their arrival at the Academy from the R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago
, which manufactures the awards. Following their arrival, Miessner would enter each individual Oscar into a computer file to keep a record for the Academy. He was then responsible for the Oscars' safety and security until the awards ceremony. Miessner could be seen each Oscar night polishing and inspecting each statue with white gloves before they were handed out to recipients.
Additionally, Miessner created a database and record of each Oscar that has ever been awarded by the Academy. He functioned as a liaison
between the Academy and R.S. Owens & Company, the foundry which makes the statues, when an older Oscar needed repair or refurbishment. Miessner also worked as the executive assistant for both Academy President Sid Ganis
and the organization's executive director
Bruce Davis. A spokesperson for the Academy described Miessner as "central to the day-to-day operations of the organization" in 2009.
Steven Miessner died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles
on July 29, 2009, at the age of 48. He was survived by his mother, Virginia, his sister and his brother. He remained with the Academy until his death.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
administrator of the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
. Miessner was nicknamed the "Keeper of the Oscars" for his dedication to the administration of the golden statuette awarded during the film industry's most important award ceremony
Award ceremony
An awards ceremony is an event and television programming genre where an award, of any type, is given to a person or people. Ceremonies are usually held at night, with guests wearing formal gowns and suits. They also usually have a host, with many categories for the awards. In the event that there...
.
Miessner joined the staff of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2002. He became responsible for the upkeep, administration and security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
of the Oscar statues for the Academy Awards. His position was a year round responsibility. Miessner would take responsibility of the Oscar statuettes upon their arrival at the Academy from the R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which manufactures the awards. Following their arrival, Miessner would enter each individual Oscar into a computer file to keep a record for the Academy. He was then responsible for the Oscars' safety and security until the awards ceremony. Miessner could be seen each Oscar night polishing and inspecting each statue with white gloves before they were handed out to recipients.
Additionally, Miessner created a database and record of each Oscar that has ever been awarded by the Academy. He functioned as a liaison
Liaison
Liaison in general means:# Communication between two or more groups.# Co-operation, working together.but may refer to:* Affair, an unfaithful or adulterous sexual relationship* Air Alliance, a Canadian airline whose call sign was "Liaison'...
between the Academy and R.S. Owens & Company, the foundry which makes the statues, when an older Oscar needed repair or refurbishment. Miessner also worked as the executive assistant for both Academy President Sid Ganis
Sid Ganis
Sidney Ganis is a Greek-American motion picture executive and producer who has produced such films as Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds, The Master of Disguise and Akeelah and the Bee. On August 23, 2005 he was elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
and the organization's executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
Bruce Davis. A spokesperson for the Academy described Miessner as "central to the day-to-day operations of the organization" in 2009.
Steven Miessner died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on July 29, 2009, at the age of 48. He was survived by his mother, Virginia, his sister and his brother. He remained with the Academy until his death.