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Mario KassarOne of Hollywood's most famous leading producers
Date of Birth: 10.10.1951
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Mario Kassar
Mario Kassar, one of the most renowned film producers in Hollywood, was born on October 10, 1951 in Beirut, Lebanon. At the age of 18, he founded his own company, Kassar Films International. Established in 1969, the company specialized in the sale, distribution, and exhibition of American films in Asia and Europe. The thriving branches of the company were located in Rome and Paris.
Founding Carolco Pictures
In 1976, Mario Kassar, along with his partner Andrew Vajna, established the famous Carolco Pictures. The true recognition and title of the leading independent film company, Carolco, was acquired after the tremendous success of the action franchise "Rambo," which began with the relatively modest "First Blood" (1982). The sequel, titled "Rambo: First Blood Part II," earned its creators over 300 million dollars. The character played by Sylvester Stallone, a Vietnam veteran, became an icon of the 80s. However, Kassar gained the greatest popularity through epic blockbusters featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, such as "Total Recall" and "Terminator 2." Other works by Vajna and Kassar include action films like "Basic Instinct," "Cliffhanger," "Die Hard," and many others.
Later Career
At the end of 1989, Vajna left Carolco, selling his share to Kassar, who became the sole owner. Although Kassar is primarily known for producing action films, he has also been involved in the production of numerous commercially risky projects. For example, the historical film "Mountains of the Moon," the family melodrama "Wild Orchid," the dark thriller "Sleeping with the Enemy," and the biographical epic "Chaplin." However, the failures of films such as "Cutthroat Island" and "Striptease" brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy in 1995, and eventually, 20th Century Fox purchased Carolco from Kassar for 50 million dollars. Kassar signed a three-year collaboration agreement with Paramount.
In 2002, Kassar reunited with his longtime partner Andrew Vajna under the banner of the company "C-2," with the aim of continuing the Terminator film series. According to their own admission, the third "Terminator" was perhaps the riskiest and most challenging project for them.
Personal Life and Legacy
As Mario Kassar once said, "Whenever I make a movie, I always try to make it entertaining... So if it's not, there's no point in doing it. I'm not a dentist or a lawyer; and making movies is the only thing that turns me on..." Kassar has released 39 films, starting with the film "Victory" in 1981 and ending with "Terminator Salvation" in 2009.
Now, at the age of 57, he continues to release films, but increasingly becomes devoted to family values and enjoys spending time with his loved ones.
