Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria dies at 68 after battle with lung cancer
Hollywood is mourning a loss, as Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria has died at the age of 68.
The Argentinian-Italian went peacefully in his sleep Friday, August 7 at his home in Los Angeles.
He previously battled lung cancer, and he was survived by wife Lilla, son Max, sister Donatella and mother Diana.
RIP: Hollywood is mourning a loss, as Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria has died at the age of 68 (pictured in July, 2019)
Soria served for five terms as president of the HFPA, the organization responsible for the annual Golden Globe Awards.
He joined back in 1989, later serving as president for 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2019-20.
The entertainment reporter was born in Buenos Aires in 1951, before his family moved to Milan when he was 11, following the death of his father.
He wrote for Italian publications like L’Espresso and La Stampa, before making the move to LA in 1982.
In his sleep: The Argentinian-Italian went peacefully in his sleep Friday, August 7 at his home in Los Angeles (pictured in August, 2015)
Loving family: He previously battled lung cancer, and he was survived by wife Lilla, son Max, sister Donatella and mother Diana (pictured in July, 2019)
Longtime member: Soria served for five terms as president of the HFPA, the organization responsible for the annual Golden Globe Awards (pictured in December, 2015)
The HFPA wrote in a statement: ‘He covered politics, technology, society, and other topics but what he loved most were his interviews with Hollywood talent and reporting about trends and changes in the film and television industry.’
The organization added: ‘Lorenzo was a beloved member of the Hollywood community and our HFPA family. We will miss his foresight, his humor, and his friendship.’
It comes just days after he and the HFPA were named in an antitrust lawsuit, claiming they illegally monopolized entertainment reporting and made entry almost impossible for new members.
Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa filed the suit, which said: ‘All year long, HFPA members enjoy all-expenses-paid trips to film festivals around the world where the studios treat them lavishly and accommodate their every desire.
“Qualified applicants for admission to the HFPA are virtually always rejected because the majority of its 87 members are unwilling to share or dilute the enormous economic benefits they receive as members.’
Argentinian-born: The entertainment reporter was born in Buenos Aires in 1951, before his family moved to Milan when he was 11, following the death of his father (pictured in December, 2019)