Joseph M. Schenck
Joseph M. Schenck
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.
Personal Info
Known For
Production
Known Credits
106
Gender
Male
Birthday
1876-12-25 (148 years old)
Place of Birth
Yaroslav, Russian Empire
Crew

1936

As You Like It Producer

1935

Folies Bergère Producer

1934

The Last Gentleman Producer

1934

The Affairs of Cellini Presenter

1934

Born to Be Bad Executive Producer

1933

Building a Building Producer

1933

Mickey's Pal Pluto Producer

1933

The Mad Doctor Producer

1933

Ye Olden Days Producer

1933

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum Executive Producer

1932

Rain Executive Producer

1930

The Bad One Producer

1930

Abraham Lincoln Producer

1930

The Bat Whispers Producer

1930

Be Yourself! Executive Producer

1930

One Romantic Night Producer

1929

Eternal Love Producer

1929

Lady of the Pavements Producer

1929

New York Nights Producer

1929

Alibi Presenter

1928

Tempest Executive Producer

1928

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Executive Producer

1928

The Woman Disputed Producer

1928

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Presenter

1927

Camille Producer

1927

College Presenter

1927

College Producer

1926

The General Producer

1926

Kiki Presenter

1926

Battling Butler Executive Producer

1925

Her Sister from Paris Producer

1925

Go West Producer

1925

Seven Chances Producer

1925

Go West Presenter

1924

Sherlock Jr. Producer

1924

The Navigator Executive Producer

1923

Our Hospitality Producer

1923

The Balloonatic Producer

1923

The Love Nest Producer

1923

Three Ages Producer

1923

The Voice from the Minaret Executive Producer

1923

Ashes of Vengeance Producer

1923

Three Ages Presenter

1923

The Dangerous Maid Producer

1922

The Paleface Producer

1922

The Blacksmith Producer

1922

My Wife's Relations Producer

1922

Cops Producer

1922

Day Dreams Producer

1922

The Electric House Producer

1922

The Frozen North Producer

1922

Smilin' Through Executive Producer

1922

The Eternal Flame Producer

1921

The Play House Producer

1921

The Boat Producer

1921

The Goat Producer

1921

The High Sign Producer

1921

The Goat Presenter

1921

The Haunted House Producer

1921

Mama's Affair Producer

1921

Lessons in Love Presenter

1920

One Week Producer

1920

The Garage Producer

1920

Convict 13 Producer

1920

Neighbors Producer

1920

She Loves and Lies Producer

1920

The Woman Gives Producer

1920

The Branded Woman Producer

1920

One Week Presenter

1920

Neighbors Presenter

1920

The Scarecrow Presenter

1919

Back Stage Producer

1919

The Hayseed Producer

1919

The New Moon Producer

1919

The Heart of Wetona Producer

1919

The Probation Wife Producer

1919

The Isle of Conquest Producer

1919

The Bank Clerk Producer

1919

A Temperamental Wife Presenter

1918

The Bell Boy Producer

1918

The Cook Producer

1918

Out West Producer

1918

Moonshine Producer

1918

Good Night, Nurse! Producer

1918

The Forbidden City Producer

1918

Her Only Way Producer

1918

De Luxe Annie Producer

1918

Just a Woman Presenter

1917

The Butcher Boy Producer

1917

His Wedding Night Producer

1917

Coney Island Producer

1917

The Rough House Producer

1917

Oh, Doctor! Producer

1917

A Country Hero Producer

1917

A Reckless Romeo Producer

1917

Panthea Producer

1917

The Moth Producer

1917

Poppy Producer