Howard W. Koch | |
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.jpg) Koch in 1978 | |
| Born | Howard Winchel Koch (1916-04-11)April 11, 1916 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 16, 2001(2001-02-16) (aged 84) |
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| Spouse | [1] |
| Children | 2, includingHawk Koch |
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Howard Winchel Koch (April 11, 1916 – February 16, 2001) was an American film producer and director. He served as president of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was involved in the production and direction of numerous films throughout his career, includingThe Manchurian Candidate (1962),The Odd Couple (1968),Airplane! (1980) and its1982 sequel, andGhost (1990). At the62nd Academy Awards, he was honored theJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his "outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes".
Koch is the father of film producerHawk Koch, and the great-grandfather of actorCooper Koch and film editorPayton Koch.
Koch was born in New York City. His family wasJewish.[2] He attendedDeWitt Clinton High School and thePeddie School inHightstown, New Jersey.[3] He began his film career as an employee atUniversal Studios office in New York then made his Hollywood filmmaking debut in 1947 as an assistant director. He worked as a producer for the first time in 1953 and a year later made his directing debut. In 1964,Paramount Pictures appointed him head of film production, a position he held until 1966 when he left to set up his own production company. He had a production pact with Paramount for over 15 years.[4]
Among his numerous television productions, Howard W. Koch produced theAcademy Awards show on eight occasions, from the 44th Academy Awards in 1972 to the 55th Academy Awards in 1983 ( except in 1974, 1977, 1979 and 1981). Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1977 to 1979. In 1990, the Academy honored him with theJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the62nd Academy Awards and in 1991, he received the Frank Capra Achievement Award from theDirectors Guild of America.
Together with actorTelly Savalas, Howard Koch owned the thoroughbred racehorseTelly's Pop, winner of several important California races for juveniles including theNorfolk Stakes andDel Mar Futurity.
Howard W. Koch suffered fromAlzheimer's disease and died in at his home inBeverly Hills, California on February 16, 2001.[5][6] He had two children from a marriage of 64 years to Ruth Pincus, who died in March 2009.[7] In 2004, his sonHawk Koch was elected to theBoard of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Film (director)
Television (director)
Film (producer):
Television (producer)
Howard W. Koch (1916-2001) was born in New York City. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York and Peddie Preparatory School in Hightstown, New Jersey.
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| Preceded by | President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences 1977-1979 | Succeeded by |
