II, Davis gave Mancuso a new boss, producer Stanley R. Jaffe, who was installed as COO of Paramount Communications. Mancuso exited in March 1991 and filed a $45 million breach of contract lawsuit, eventually receiving a reported $20 million in a settlement.

After a couple years away, Mancuso returned to Hollywood in July 1993 when, in a deal orchestrated by CAA's Michael Ovitz, he was named by Credit Lyonnais-owned MGM to replace Alan Ladd Jr. as chairman and CEO.

During his tenure, he restarted United Artists (it hadn't released a film since Rocky Vin 1990) and hired former Warner Bros. exec John Calley to run it; acquired Orion Pictures, The Samuel Goldwyn Co. and assets from PolyGram Filmed Entertainment; and saw the release of such films as Stargate (1994), Get Shorty (1995), The Birdcage (1996) and three James Bond movies.

Mancuso lasted until April 1999, when MGM owner Kirk Kerkorian replaced him with Alex Yemenidjian as chairman and Chris McGurk as vice chairman.

He was born on July 25, 1933, in Buffalo. His father, George, worked for the post office for more than four decades, and his mother, Mary, was a homemaker.

Mancuso started out as a part-time usher at the 3,500-seat Lafayette Theatre, then was named assistant manager while still a student at the State University of New York at Buffalo. After college, he was hired in 1958 to buy films for the Basil Circuit, which owned the Lafayette and 49 other theaters in Western New York and Pennsylvania.

In 1962, Mancuso joined Paramount as a film booker in its Buffalo office, and he rose through the ranks, becoming the Toronto-based vice president and general sales manager for Paramount Canada in 1970; manager of Paramount's Western Division, based in Los Angeles, in 1976; and executive vice president of marketing and distribution for the entire company in 1979.

He was named president of the motion picture group in January 1983 - that was his first job being involved in the production of movies - and distinguished himself by using music videos to promote Flashdance and giving eventual best-picture winner Terms of Endearment a release during the then-sleepy Thanksgiving weekend.

In recent years, Mancuso held chairman posts at the Motion Picture   Television Fund and at the Geffen Playhouse.

He also is survived by his wife, Fay, a fellow Buffalo native whom he married in 1957 (they first met when they were 12); their daughter Maria Mancuso, a fashion designer; daughter-in-law Kimberly Mancuso; grandchildren Noah Gersh, Emma Louise Ray, Giovanni Mancuso, Greta Harlan Gersh, Mila Rae Mancuso and James Lily Frances Gersh; grandson-in-law Eric David Ray; and great-granddaughter Lucca Frances Ray.

 When God created Frank Mancuso Sr., he broke the mold,  actor Andy Garcia said in a statement.  This is not just a saying but the absolute truth. Mr. Mancuso will forever be a beacon of class in our industry, the greatest example of warmth, integrity and generosity. I had the blessing of his friendship, support and guidance. I will miss him deeply and will continue to be inspired by his example. Rest in peace,  Pops.'