Joseph M. Schenck
- Known for
- Production
- Born
- December 25, 1876
- Died
- October 22, 1961 (aged 84)
- Birthplace
- Yaroslav, Russian Empire
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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
Filmography
As You Like It
Movie · Producer
Folies Bergère
Movie · Producer
The Last Gentleman
Movie · Producer
Born to Be Bad
Movie · Executive Producer
Building a Building
Movie · Producer
Mickey's Pal Pluto
Movie · Producer
The Mad Doctor
Movie · Producer
Mickey's Mellerdrammer
Movie · Producer
Ye Olden Days
Movie · Producer
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
Movie · Executive Producer
Rain
Movie · Executive Producer
The Bad One
Movie · Producer
Abraham Lincoln
Movie · Producer
The Bat Whispers
Movie · Producer
Du Barry, Woman of Passion
Movie · Producer
Be Yourself!
Movie · Executive Producer
One Romantic Night
Movie · Producer
Eternal Love
Movie · Producer
Lady of the Pavements
Movie · Producer
New York Nights
Movie · Producer
Tempest
Movie · Executive Producer
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Movie · Executive Producer
The Woman Disputed
Movie · Producer
Camille
Movie · Producer
College
Movie · Producer
The General
Movie · Producer
Battling Butler
Movie · Executive Producer
The Duchess of Buffalo
Movie · Producer
Her Sister from Paris
Movie · Producer
Go West
Movie · Producer
Seven Chances
Movie · Producer
Sherlock Jr.
Movie · Producer
The Navigator
Movie · Executive Producer
Our Hospitality
Movie · Producer
The Balloonatic
Movie · Producer
The Love Nest
Movie · Producer
Three Ages
Movie · Producer
The Voice from the Minaret
Movie · Executive Producer
Ashes of Vengeance
Movie · Producer
The Dangerous Maid
Movie · Producer
The Paleface
Movie · Producer
The Blacksmith
Movie · Producer
My Wife's Relations
Movie · Producer
Cops
Movie · Producer
Day Dreams
Movie · Producer
The Electric House
Movie · Producer
The Frozen North
Movie · Producer
Smilin' Through
Movie · Executive Producer
The Eternal Flame
Movie · Producer
The Play House
Movie · Producer
The Boat
Movie · Producer
The Goat
Movie · Producer
The High Sign
Movie · Producer
The Haunted House
Movie · Producer
Mama's Affair
Movie · Producer
One Week
Movie · Producer
The Garage
Movie · Producer
Convict 13
Movie · Producer
Neighbors
Movie · Producer
A Daughter of Two Worlds
Movie · Producer
She Loves and Lies
Movie · Producer
The Woman Gives
Movie · Producer
The Branded Woman
Movie · Producer
Back Stage
Movie · Producer
The Hayseed
Movie · Producer
The New Moon
Movie · Producer
The Heart of Wetona
Movie · Producer
The Probation Wife
Movie · Producer
The Isle of Conquest
Movie · Producer
The Bank Clerk
Movie · Producer
The Bell Boy
Movie · Producer
The Cook
Movie · Producer
Out West
Movie · Producer
Moonshine
Movie · Producer
Good Night, Nurse!
Movie · Producer
The Forbidden City
Movie · Producer
The Ghosts of Yesterday
Movie · Producer
Her Only Way
Movie · Producer
De Luxe Annie
Movie · Producer
The Butcher Boy
Movie · Producer
His Wedding Night
Movie · Producer
Coney Island
Movie · Producer
The Rough House
Movie · Producer
Oh, Doctor!
Movie · Producer
A Country Hero
Movie · Producer
A Reckless Romeo
Movie · Producer
Panthea
Movie · Producer
The Law of Compensation
Movie · Producer
The Moth
Movie · Producer
The Secret of the Storm Country
Movie · Producer
Poppy
Movie · Producer