Samuel Goldwyn American film producer, founder and director of several film studios. Date of Birth: 17.08.1879 Country: USA

1. Early Life
2. Immigration to the United States
3. The Birth of Hollywood
4. Paramount Pictures Corporation
5. Goldwyn Pictures Corporation
6. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
7. Samuel Goldwyn Studio
8. Awards and Honors
9. Personal Life
10. Legacy

Early Life

Born Schmuel Gelbfisz in Warsaw, Poland on August 17, 1879, Samuel Goldwyn was the son of Polish Jewish Hasidic parents. At a young age, he left Warsaw on foot and penniless. He worked in a glove shop in Hamburg, Germany, before relocating to Birmingham, England. There, he lived with relatives for several years and changed his name to Samuel Goldfish.

Immigration to the United States

In 1898, Goldfish emigrated to the United States, fearing rejection at the border. He arrived in New York City in January 1899 and found work as a glove salesman in Gloversville, New York. His innate marketing skills made him a successful salesman, and within four years, he became vice-president of sales and returned to New York City.

The Birth of Hollywood

In 1913, Goldfish co-founded The Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company with his brother-in-law Jesse L. Lasky, Cecil B. DeMille, and Arthur Friend. They acquired the rights to the play "The Squaw Man," starring Dustin Farnum, and began filming on December 29, 1913. The film became a huge success, earning Goldfish a profit of $250,000.

Paramount Pictures Corporation

In 1914, Paramount Pictures (then a distribution company) partnered with The Lasky Company to produce 36 films annually. Goldwyn's company and Adolph Zukor's Famous Players Company became the main suppliers for Paramount, and eventually the three firms merged to form Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

After conflicts with Adolph Zukor, Goldfish resigned as chairman of Paramount Pictures Corporation. In 1916, he co-founded Goldwyn Pictures Corporation with Broadway producers Edgar Selwyn and Archibald Selwyn. He legally changed his surname to Goldwyn at this time. Goldwyn Pictures Corporation achieved moderate success, but its iconic logo—the roaring lion—became world-renowned.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Marcus Loew later purchased Goldwyn's company and merged it with Louis B. Mayer's Metro Pictures to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Goldwyn left the new studio and became an independent producer with his own Samuel Goldwyn Studio.

Samuel Goldwyn Studio

For 35 years, Goldwyn produced over 80 films and gained a reputation as an exceptional talent scout. He implemented the practice of writing original screenplays for films and collaborated with renowned directors such as William Wyler and screenwriters like Ben Hecht, Sidney Howard, Dorothy Parker, and Lillian Hellman.

Awards and Honors

Goldwyn's films, including "Arrowsmith" (1931), "Dodsworth" (1936), "Dead End" (1937), "Wuthering Heights" (1939), and "The Little Foxes" (1941), received multiple Oscar nominations for Best Picture. In 1971, President Richard Nixon awarded Goldwyn the Medal of Freedom.

Personal Life

Goldwyn married Blanche Lasky in 1910 and divorced her in 1915. He married actress Frances Howard in 1925 and remained with her until his death. He had two children from his first and second marriages.

Legacy

Samuel Goldwyn died at his home in Los Angeles on January 31, 1974, at the age of 94. The Samuel Goldwyn Studio was sold to Warner Bros. in the 1980s. Goldwyn received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry. He was known for his wit and humor, and his Goldwynisms remain popular today.