American Cinematheque Salutes Variety Veteran Dave McNary at Tribute to the Crafts Event

variety.com:

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorLongtime Variety reporter Dave McNary was remembered as a consummate journalist who deeply loved covering the movie business during American Cinematheque’s Tribute to the Crafts, held Monday night at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre.Sharon McNary, a longtime journalist for KPCC-FM who was married to Dave McNary for 21 years, was on hand to accept a posthumous award for her husband, presented by Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton.

Dave McNary died in 2020 at the age of 69 after suffering a stroke.“I never saw anyone work as hard as he did,” Sharon McNary told the crowd.She noted that her husband loved this time of year, when film kudos are in full swing. “He called it tuxedo season,” she said.

Unlike many industry veterans, Dave never complained about having to dress up for events. “He’d get dressed up, take a picture with the dog and head off to have the time of his life,” she said.

Peter Bart, former Variety editor-in-chief and an American Cinematheque board member, introduced the tribute segment, observing that McNary had a rare combination of talents for a journalist.“He was a dogged, likeable and loveable reporter — that’s a very rare trait,” he said.