Sculptor Graham dies after lengthy illness

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Sculptor Robert Graham, who earned fame for designing civic monuments, has died in Santa Monica, Calif., after a nearly six-month illness, a friend says.

Graham's friend, Roy Doumani, confirmed that the man behind the Memorial Coliseum's so-called Olympic Gateway died Saturday at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center at the age of 70, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Doumani remembered Graham as a man whose designs helped bring beauty to several U.S. cities such as Los Angeles.

"He brought a lot of beauty and a vision of what art should be," he said. "Bob was special to this city and, fortunately, his work will remain here and elsewhere, and he's certainly not going to be forgotten."

Of all of Doumani's designs, perhaps his most notable was Washington's Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. The Times said the memorial features a sculpture of the late president as well as panels depicting his presidential accomplishments.

Graham is survived by his wife, actress Anjelica Huston, and his son, Steven, from an earlier marriage.