Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse L. Lasky | |
---|---|
San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
Died | January 13, 1958 | (aged 77)
Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
Occupation | Film producer |
Spouse | Bessie Mona Ginsberg |
Children | 3, including Jesse Jr. and Betty |
Relatives | Samuel Goldwyn (former brother-in-law), Mervyn LeRoy (cousin) |
Signature | |
Jesse Louis Lasky (September 13, 1880 – January 13, 1958) was an American pioneer motion picture producer[1] who was a key founder of what was to become Paramount Pictures, and father of screenwriter Jesse L. Lasky Jr.
Early life
Born in to a
Career
In 1911, Lasky was the producer of two Broadway musicals: Hello, Paris and A La Broadway.[4] Beatrice deMille was also producing plays on Broadway and she introduced him to her son Cecil B. DeMille.[5]
Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company
In 1913 Lasky and his sister Blanche's husband,
Other films produced by the studio include the original version of
Famous Players–Lasky
In 1916, Lasky's company merged with
In 1927, Lasky was one of the 36 people who founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His Wings was the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Financial problems arose within the industry as a result of the Great Depression and Lasky resigned in 1932 after personally losing $12 million.[1] Famous Players–Lasky went into receivership in 1933[7] and was folded into Paramount.
Other producing roles
He became an independent film producer and in 1935 formed a partnership with Mary Pickford to produce films but within a few years she dissolved their business relationship.[1][3] He went on to produce a radio talent show.[3]
Lasky then found work as an associate producer at
Personal life and death
Jesse L. Lasky died from a
, adjacent to Paramount Studios, in Hollywood.He and his wife Bessie had three children Jesse L. Jr., Betty and Billy.[1]
In 1957 he published his autobiography, I Blow My Own Horn.[10]
Legacy
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Lasky has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6433 Hollywood Boulevard. Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills was named in his honor.
References
- ^ Archive.org.
- ISBN 9781628941166.
- ^ OCLC 39216574.
- ^ "Jesse L. Lasky – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
- ^ "Beatrice deMille – Women Film Pioneers Project". wfpp.cdrs.columbia.edu. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Famous Players–Lasky Corporation". SilentEra.com. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
- ^ "J.L. Lasky Invokes New Bankruptcy Law. Listing $2,020,024 Liabilities and $134,718 Assets, He Asks Deal With Creditors". The New York Times. August 3, 1933. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ "Jesse Lasky dies". Time. January 27, 1958. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ "Jesse L. Lasky, Film Pioneer, Dies at 77. Early Producer Who Helped Build Movie Industry Suffers Fatal Heart Seizure". Los Angeles Times. January 14, 1958. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ Lasky, Jesse L. (April 11, 1957). "I Blow My Own Horn". Doubleday – via Google Books.