The producer of Julia Roberts-starring "Pretty Woman" was diagnosed with stage 3 of breast cancer in 2004. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, a stem-cell transplant and radiation, but the cancer returned in 2009 and at the time, it has spread to her liver and bones. A year prior in 2008, she co-founded nonprofit organization Stand Up 2 Cancer with Katie Couric among others.
Laura was working on the "Spider-Man" reboot, "The Amazing Spider-Man", at the time of her passing. She is survived by her Oscar-winning screenwriter husband Alvin Sargent, and a daughter from her first marriage, Julia. Sony Pictures said a memorial would be planned. Her family requests that donations be made to Stand Up 2 Cancer through its website, standup2cancer.org.
Laura has either produced or executive produced such notable pictures as "What About Bob?", "To Die For" and "As Good As it Gets". In 2002, she became the first woman to produce the Academy Awards telecast alone. Three years later in 2005, she was honored with the Producers Guild of America's David O. Selznick life achievement kudo. Earlier this year, she was presented with the PGA's Visionary Award.
