Samuel Goldwyn

Introduction

Samuel Goldwyn was a film producer of Polish-American descent, holding the distinction as the founder of multiple motion picture studios. Renowned for his involvement in producing highly successful and critically acclaimed films, such as “Wuthering Heights” and “The Best Years of Our Lives”, Goldwyn left an indelible mark on the industry.

Early Life and Background

Goldwyn was born in Warsaw, Poland, into a Jewish family. According to him, he was born on August 27, 1882, but some sources say it was in July 1879. Goldwyn’s parents were Aaron Dawid Gelbfisz, a peddler, and his wife, Hanna Frymet (née Fiszhaut).

Journey to America

After his father’s death, Goldwyn relocated from Warsaw to Hamburg penniless. Over there, he stayed with acquaintances of his family, where he trained as a glove maker. After staying there for a while, Goldwyn relocated to Birmingham, England, where he remained with relatives for six weeks under the name Samuel Goldfish. Yet again, Goldwyn moved places before he finally settled in New York, where he got a job as a glove maker.

Founding of Paramount Pictures

In 1913, Goldwyn collaborated with his brother-in-law Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille to establish the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, which would later merge with Adolph Zukor’s Famous Players Film Company to give rise to Paramount Pictures.

Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

In 1916, Goldwyn departed from Paramount and joined forces with Edgar Selwyn to create Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Eventually, this venture was acquired by Marcus Loew and merged with Metro Pictures, resulting in the formation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Despite this transition, Goldwyn maintained the privilege of using his name as an independent producer.

Samuel Goldwyn Productions

In 1923, Samuel Goldwyn founded Samuel Goldwyn Productions and quickly rose to become a highly influential and respected producer in Hollywood. His commitment to excellence, artistic vision, and unwavering independence set him apart. Goldwyn handpicked a team of talented writers, directors, actors, and technicians to collaborate on his films, granting them the freedom and support to unleash their creativity. Throughout his career, Goldwyn produced numerous notable films.

Personal Life

Goldwyn first married Blanche Lasky, a sister of Jesse L. Lasky, in 1910. They both had a daughter before they divorced. In 1925, he married actress Frances Howard, and they had a son together. They remained married until his death.

Death and Legacy

Sadly, he passed away in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 91.