Vetran Hollywood Reporter Army Archerd Dies of Mesothelioma
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009.
Veteran Hollywood reporter Armand “Army” Archerd died Tuesday in Los Angeles. For more than 50 years, Archerd covered celebrity and entertainment news in his column at Daily Variety.
In addition to his weekday column, Archerd served as the official greeter of the Academy Awards for nearly half a century and was co-host and co-producer of the People’s Choice Awards.
Archerd considered himself a journalist trained in the old-school methods. He was trusted by his readers thanks to his journalistic integrity, and also to those he covered in his column. Paul Newman, who Archerd considered a personal friend, called Archerd a “straight arrow by which all other columnists should measure themselves.”
Born in the Bronx in 1922, Archerd moved to LA with his family in 1939 and studied languages at UCLA. After graduation, he worked in the mail room at Paramount studios before joining the Navy when the US joined WWII in 1941. Among his many duties, Archerd procured movies for the destroyer he was stationed on; at times, he traded fresh vegetables with bigger ships to get newer movies.
During his time in the Navy, Archerd met Associated Press reporter Bob Thomas. The two worked together for the AP until 1947, when Arched left to work for Hollywood columnist Harrison Carroll. In 1953, Archerd was hired by Daily Variety; his column, “Just for Variety” debuted on April 27.
In addition to his future career, Archerd’s time in the Navy likely influenced his death. Archerd suffered from a rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. Many Naval ships used asbestos as an insulator on pipes, boilers, and other equipment. Close quarters and friable (easily airborne) asbestos fibers put many Naval officers at risk of asbestos-related diseases, which can take years or even decades to develop.
Archerd is survived by his wife, Selma Archerd, son Evan, stepsons Richard Rosenblum and James Rosenblum, and five grandchildren. Archerd’s daughter Amanda, preceded him in death.
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