This articlerelies largely or entirely on asingle source.(August 2008) |
Gerard William "Jerry" Ford(October 2, 1924 – August 24, 2008) was an American businessman who in1946foundedFord Modeling Agencywith his wifeEileen Fordin their apartment on theUpper East SideofManhattaninNew York City.[1]
Gerard W. Ford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gerard William Ford October 2, 1924 |
| Died | August 24, 2008(aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Agent(retired),war veteran |
| Years active | 1946–1995 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, includingKatie Ford |
| Website | www |
Life
editFord was born October 2, 1924, inNew Orleans,Louisiana.One of six children of John William and Ermine Ford, Ford graduated fromJesuit High Schoolin New Orleans where he played football and became aboxerandfootball playeratNotre Dame(his roommate wasJohnny Lujack,aHeisman Trophywinner), before transferring tomidshipmanschool atColumbia Universityas part of his service with theUnited States NavyduringWorld War II.His wife, then Eileen Otte, was studying atBarnard Collegeand was, herself, briefly a model. The couple met and eloped in 1944 while Ford was waiting to ship out with the Navy.[1]
Career
editIn 1945, after completing his Naval service aboard asupply shipbased in thePacific Theater of Operations,Ford returned to his home and wife in New York. He resumed his studies in accounting atColumbia University,while Mrs. Ford worked as a secretary for several of her friends, also models, and eventually became their informalagent.When she became pregnant, she left active work and he stepped in to manage the business.[1]
Prior to Ford's innovations, models generally handled their own bookings and billing individually.[2]In the 1970s, Ford created the firstcontractsfor models to represent specificbrandsexclusively, securing higher fees for the models. He negotiated the first such contract forLauren Huttonto representRevlonin 1974.[1]
At the time of his death, he resided inOldwick, New Jersey.He died inMorristown, New Jerseyat the age of 83. The cause of his death was complications fromendocarditis.[1]
His daughter isKatie Ford.
References
edit- ^abcdeWilson, Eric (August 26, 2008)."Jerry Ford, 83, Man Behind the Models, Dies".The New York Times,New York edition.New York.p. C-11.RetrievedAugust 26,2008.
- ^Levin, Phyllis Lee (February 10, 1958). A Fashion Model's Face Is Still Her Fortune; American 'Look' Is popular As Agencies Show Gain.New York Times
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