Joseph M. Schenck
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Joseph Michael Schenck (/ˈskɛŋk/; December 25, 1876 – October 22, 1961) was a Russian-born American film studio executive.
Schenck was born to a Jewish family in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. He and his family – including younger brother Nicholas – emigrated to New York City in July 1892 under the name Ossip Schenker. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased Palisades Amusement Park and afterward became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry in partnership with Marcus Loew, operating a chain of movie theaters.
In 1916, through his involvement in the film business, Joseph Schenck met and married Norma Talmadge, a top young star with Vitagraph Studios. He would be the first of her three husbands, but she was his only wife. Schenck supervised, controlled and nurtured her career in alliance with her mother. In 1917 the couple formed the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation, which became a lucrative enterprise. They divorced in 1934; Schenck then built a home in Palm Springs, California.
After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the West Coast where the future of the film industry seemed to lie. Within a few years Schenck was made the second president of the new United Artists.
In 1933 he partnered with Darryl F. Zanuck to create Twentieth Century Pictures that merged with Fox Film Corporation in 1935. As chairman of the new 20th Century Fox, he was one of the most powerful and influential people in the film business. Caught in a payoff scheme to buy peace with the militant unions, he was convicted of income tax evasion and spent time in prison before being granted a presidential pardon. Following his release, he returned to 20th Century Fox where he became infatuated with the unknown Marilyn Monroe, and played a key role in launching her career.
One of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in 1952 he was given a special Academy Award in recognition of his contribution to the development of the film industry. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6757 Hollywood Blvd.
Schenck retired in 1957 and shortly afterward suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. He died in Los Angeles in 1961 at the age of 84, and was interred in Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Joseph Michael Schenck (/ˈskɛŋk/; December 25, 1876 – October 22, 1961) was a Russian-born American film studio executive.
Schenck was born to a Jewish family in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. He and his family – including younger brother Nicholas – emigrated to New York City in July 1892 under the name Ossip Schenker. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased Palisades Amusement Park and afterward became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry in partnership with Marcus Loew, operating a chain of movie theaters.
In 1916, through his involvement in the film business, Joseph Schenck met and married Norma Talmadge, a top young star with Vitagraph Studios. He would be the first of her three husbands, but she was his only wife. Schenck supervised, controlled and nurtured her career in alliance with her mother. In 1917 the couple formed the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation, which became a lucrative enterprise. They divorced in 1934; Schenck then built a home in Palm Springs, California.
After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the West Coast where the future of the film industry seemed to lie. Within a few years Schenck was made the second president of the new United Artists.
In 1933 he partnered with Darryl F. Zanuck to create Twentieth Century Pictures that merged with Fox Film Corporation in 1935. As chairman of the new 20th Century Fox, he was one of the most powerful and influential people in the film business. Caught in a payoff scheme to buy peace with the militant unions, he was convicted of income tax evasion and spent time in prison before being granted a presidential pardon. Following his release, he returned to 20th Century Fox where he became infatuated with the unknown Marilyn Monroe, and played a key role in launching her career.
One of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in 1952 he was given a special Academy Award in recognition of his contribution to the development of the film industry. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6757 Hollywood Blvd.
Schenck retired in 1957 and shortly afterward suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. He died in Los Angeles in 1961 at the age of 84, and was interred in Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Known for
As You Like It
The Prisoner of Shark Island
Folies Bergère
The Affairs of Cellini
Born to Be Bad
The Last Gentleman
Ye Olden Days
Mickey's Mellerdrammer
Mickey's Pal Pluto
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
The Mad Doctor
Building a Building
Rain
The Bat Whispers
Abraham Lincoln
Du Barry, Woman of Passion
The Bad One
One Romantic Night
Be Yourself!
New York Nights
Eternal Love
Alibi
Lady of the Pavements
The Woman Disputed
Tempest
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
College
Camille
The General
Battling Butler
Kiki
Go West
Her Sister from Paris
Seven Chances
The Navigator
Sherlock Jr.
Our Hospitality
Three Ages
Ashes of Vengeance
The Love Nest
The Voice from the Minaret
The Balloonatic
Day Dreams
The Electric House
The Eternal Flame
The Frozen North
The Blacksmith
My Wife's Relations
Cops
Smilin' Through
The Paleface
The Boat
The Play House
The Goat
The High Sign
The Haunted House
Neighbors
The Scarecrow
Convict 13
The Branded Woman
One Week
The Woman Gives
The Garage
A Daughter of Two Worlds
She Loves and Lies
The Hayseed
Back Stage
The Probation Wife
The New Moon
The Heart of Wetona
The Forbidden City
The Cook
Her Only Way
Good Night, Nurse!
De Luxe Annie
Moonshine
The Bell Boy
Out West
The Ghosts of Yesterday
A Country Hero
The Secret of the Storm Country
Coney Island
The Moth
Oh, Doctor!
His Wedding Night
The Rough House
A Reckless Romeo
Poppy
The Butcher Boy
The Law of Compensation
Panthea