Pierre Cossette, Canadian producer and manager (b. 1923)
Pierre Maurice Joseph Cossette (December 15, 1923 – September 11, 2009) was a television executive producer and Broadway producer. Cossette produced the first television broadcast of the Grammy Awards in 1971.Cossette was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2005. Born in Valleyfield, Quebec, he also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2006, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.His autobiography, Another Day In Showbiz: One Producer's Journey, offers his vision of the industry, detailing stars, directors, producers, movies, TV companies, record companies, and the art, creation, and exhibition of stage productions such as The Will Rogers Follies, The Scarlet Pimpernell, and The Voice of Woody Guthrie. In the book, Cossette describes a conversation he had with his personal friend, Donald Trump, about his having cast Marla Maples into his Broadway production of The Will Rogers Follies (Maples became Trump's second wife shortly thereafter).
He went from agent to producer with the help and support of entertainment giant Harry Cohn.
Cossette booked shows in Las Vegas, brought The Grammy Awards to TV, and managed performers such as Dick Shawn and Buddy Hackett. His son, John Cossette, became the producer of the Grammy Awards following Pierre Cossette's retirement.Cossette died from congestive heart failure on September 11, 2009, in Montreal at the age of 85.
2009Sep, 11
Pierre Cossette
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Events on 2009
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2009 Malagasy political crisis
Rioting breaks out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that will result in the replacement of President Marc Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina. - 29Jan
Rod Blagojevich corruption charges
Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich is removed from office following his conviction of several corruption charges, including the alleged solicitation of personal benefit in exchange for an appointment to the United States Senate as a replacement for then-U.S. president-elect Barack Obama. - 12Jun
2009 Iranian election protests
A disputed presidential election in Iran leads to wide-ranging local and international protests. - 4Jul
September 11 attacks
The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure due to security concerns following the September 11 attacks. - 5Nov
2009 Fort Hood shooting
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan murders 13 and wounds 32 at Fort Hood, Texas in the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. military installation.