Wikipedia

Howard W. Koch

Not to be confused withHoward Koch (screenwriter).

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 Sciencesand 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 Awardfor his "outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes".

Howard W. Koch
Koch in 1978
Born
Howard Winchel Koch

(1916-04-11)April 11, 1916
New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2001(2001-02-16)(aged 84)
Beverly Hills, California,U.S.
Occupations
  • Director
  • producer
Spouse
Ruth Pincus
​
(m.1937)​
[1]
Children2; includingHawk Koch
Relatives

Koch is the father of film producerHawk Koch,and the great-grandfather of actorCooper Kochand film editorPayton Koch.

Life and career

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Koch was born in New York City. His family wasJewish.[2]He attendedDeWitt Clinton High Schooland thePeddie SchoolinHightstown, New Jersey.[3]He began his film career as an employee atUniversal Studiosoffice 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 Picturesappointed 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 Awardsshow on eight occasions. Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesfrom 1977 to 1979. In 1990, the Academy honored him with theJean Hersholt Humanitarian Awardat the62nd Academy Awardsand 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 StakesandDel Mar Futurity.

Howard W. Koch suffered fromAlzheimer's diseaseand died in at his home inBeverly Hills, Californiaon 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 Kochwas elected to theBoard of Governorsof the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Filmography

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Director

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Film (director)

Television (director)

Producer

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Film (producer):

Television (producer)

References

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  1. ^"Howard W. Koch, Jr. Biography (1945-)".Film Reference.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  2. ^Sperling, Nicole; Julie Makinen (August 1, 2012)."How did new Academy president Hawk Koch get his unusual name?".Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^"Howard W. Koch Collection".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Archived fromthe originalon December 3, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 27,2011.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.
  4. ^"Spent 15 Years At Studio, More To Come; Koch On 5th Paramount Contract".Variety.October 14, 1971. p. 7.
  5. ^Dutka, Elaine (February 17, 2001)."Howard W. Koch; Producer, Director, Academy President".RetrievedFebruary 19,2022.
  6. ^Galloway, Doug (February 16, 2001)."Producer Howard Koch dead at 84".Variety.RetrievedFebruary 19,2022.
  7. ^"Ruth Koch dies at 90".Variety.Associated Press.March 3, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 14, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
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Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences
1977-1979 		Succeeded by
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