#Lorenzo Soria, president of Hollywood Foreign Press Association, dead at 68

Lorenzo Soria, the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which runs the Golden Globe Awards — died Friday at his Los Angeles home, a family member told Variety.

A cause of death was not disclosed, the outlet reported.

The Argentina-born Soria was half-way through his latest three-year term as president; he had served two previous terms as president.

“In his role running the HFPA, Soria would often appear on the Globes broadcast, welcoming guests, and was a fixture at the early-morning nomination announcements,” Variety noted.

Colleagues admired him for his humility, grace and kindness.

“Lorenzo was a beloved member of the entertainment industry and the Hollywood community and will be sorely missed,” the HFPA said in a statement.

His family said in a statement, “His passing is a deep loss for us and for all who knew him and who were blessed by his generosity, passion and sense of humor.”

“He was deeply committed to the movie industry’s power to heal the world and shine a spotlight on injustice. His contributions and friendship were immense; he was a fighter whom we loved deeply.”