Veteran entertainment industry columnist Army Archerd dies at 87

Columnist Army Archerd dies at 87

LOS ANGELES — Veteran entertainment journalist Army Archerd, who wrote a column for the entertainment trade publication Variety for over 50 years, has died. He was 87.

Archerd’s spokeswoman said he died Tuesday at UCLA Medical Center of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs strongly tied to asbestos exposure.

Archerd began his career at The Associated Press and later went on to write about the entertainment industry at Variety. His most significant scoop came in 1985 when Archerd reported that Rock Hudson was undergoing treatment for AIDS, despite denials by Hudson’s spokesman.

He was one of the first journalist to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.