Eric Pleskow

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Eric Pleskow
Pleskow in 1978
Born
Erich Pleskoff

(1924-04-24)April 24, 1924
Vienna, Austria
DiedOctober 1, 2019(2019-10-01) (aged 95)
Westport, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film producer, executive
Known forPresident of United Artists and Orion Pictures

Eric Pleskow (born Erich Pleskoff; April 24, 1924 – October 1, 2019) was an Austrian-born American film producer and executive. From 1973 through 1978, Pleskow was president of United Artists. Following a protest from Transamerica Corporation, Pleskow co-founded and later ran Orion Pictures in 1978 through 1991. In his later career, he served as president of the Vienna International Film Festival from 1998 until his death.

Early life

Born Erich Pleskoff in

Aryanization of their apartment, the family emigrated to the United States in 1938.[2]

In 1943, he was conscripted into the

Camp Ritchie makes him one of the Ritchie Boys. After World War II, Pleskow returned to Austria and guided five interrogations during denazifications.[4]

Career

Viennale

Due to his brief education in

Bavaria Film Studios in Munich, Germany.[6]

In 1951, he went to work for United Artists as a foreign department executive in their New York City office and moved to South Africa (1952) and Germany (1953-8) before becoming continental manager in Paris (1958–62).[7][8] In 1962, Pleskow traveled back to New York City as vice president of international distribution.[8] On January 1, 1973 he was made chief operating officer, taking over from David V. Picker who became chief executive officer[9] but soon became the president and CEO after Picker left UA that year.[8][4] Under his presidency at United Artists, the company won the Academy Award for Best Picture three years in a row: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Rocky (1976) and Annie Hall (1977).[4][10]

In 1978, Pleskow along with many executives from United Artists, formed

greenlit Little Man Tate (1990) and The Addams Family.[7]

In 1998, Pleskow became president of the Vienna International Film Festival.[11] In February 2007, he was awarded honorary citizenship of Vienna.[11]

During his career, Pleskow was involved in the production of fourteen best-picture Oscar winners.[12]

Death

Pleskow died on October 1, 2019, in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 95.[13]

Bibliography

  • Andrea Ernst: Eric Pleskow. Ein Leben für den Film. Picus Verlag, Wien 2008,
    ISBN 978-3-85452-632-2
    .

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6
    .
  2. ^ "From Vienna to Hollywood: Eric Pleskow" (PDF). Jewish Historical Society of Farfield County. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  3. ^ "Eric Pleskow, Former Head of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". The Wrap. October 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Eric Pleskow, Former Head of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". Yahoo. October 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "Eric Pleskow Dies: Ex-President Of United Artists & Orion Pictures Was 95". Deadline. October 1, 2019.
  6. Viennale
    . October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  7. ^
    Daily Variety
    . May 21, 1992. p. 1.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Natale, Richard (October 1, 2019). "Eric Pleskow, Exec at United Artists, Orion Involved With Best Picture Winners, Dies at 95". Variety.
  9. ^ "Picker's Exex at UA; Pleskow Top; Senior Veepcy Velde, Chaseman, Goldberg, Bernstein, And Bos". Variety. December 6, 1972. p. 3.
  10. ^ "Austrian-Born Hollywood Producer Eric Pleskow Dies at 95". The New York Times. October 1, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Hollywood tycoon Eric Pleskow dies at 95". The Japan Times. October 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "14 Oscars won: Film producer Eric Pleskow is dead". MSN. October 1, 2019.
  13. ^ Barnes, Mark (October 1, 2019). "Eric Pleskow, Former President of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eric Pleskow.
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