Samuel Goldwyn
| Samuel Goldwyn | |
|---|---|
A picture of Goldwyn, prior to his name change in 1916
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| Born |
Szmuel Gelbfisz 17 August 1879 Warsaw, Kingdom of Poland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 31 January 1974 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California |
| Other names | Samuel Goldfish, Mister Malaprop |
| Years active | 1917–1959 |
| Spouse(s) | Blanche Lasky (1910-1915; divorced; 1 child) Frances Howard (1925-1974; his death; 1 child) |
Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz (Yiddish: שמואל געלבפֿיש); August 17, 1879 – January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Jewish Polish American film producer. He was most well known for being the founding contributor and executive of several motion picture studios in Hollywood. His awards include the 1973 Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1947, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1958.
Goldwyn was born Szmuel Gelbfisz in Warsaw, Kingdom of Poland, Russian Empire, to a Hasidic, Polish Jewish family. His parents were Aaron Dawid Gelbfisz (1852-1895), a peddler, and his wife, Hanna Reban (née Jarecka; 1855-1924). At an early age, he left Warsaw on foot and penniless. He made his way to Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he remained with relatives for a few years using the name Samuel Goldfish. He was 16 when his father died.
In 1898, he emigrated to the United States, but fearing refusal of entry, he got off the boat in Nova Scotia, Canada, before moving on to New York in January 1899. He found work in upstate Gloversville, New York, in the bustling garment business. Soon his innate marketing skills made him a very successful salesman at the Elite Glove Company. After four years, as vice-president of sales, he moved back to New York City and settled at 10 West 61st Street.
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