Howard W. Koch
Encyclopedia
Howard Winchel Koch was an American director
and producer
of motion pictures
and television
.
Born in New York City
, he attended DeWitt Clinton High School
and the Peddie School
in Hightstown, New Jersey
. He began his film career as an employee at Universal 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.
Mr. Koch is occasionally confused by movie fans with the other Howard Koch
(Howard E. Koch, 1901-1995), who received an Academy Award as one of the co-authors of Casablanca
(with Philip Epstein and Julius Epstein
). Unlike Howard W. Koch, Howard E. Koch was blacklisted as a Communist and went through the same problems as most blacklisted Hollywood writers, including a move to England, writing under pseudonyms, and finally returning to New York. Also, Howard W. Koch (and not Howard E. Koch) was the father of prominent Hollywood movie producer Howard W. Koch, Jr., also known as "Hawk" Koch.
Among his numerous television productions, Howard W. Koch produced the Academy Awards
show on eight occasions. Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
from 1977 to 1979. In 1990 the Academy honored him with the The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
and in 1991 he received the Frank Capra Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America
.
Together with actor Telly Savalas
, Howard Koch owned Telly's Pop
, winner of several important California races for juveniles including the Norfolk Stakes and Del Mar Futurity
.
Howard W. Koch suffered from Alzheimer's disease
and died Los Angeles in 2001. He had two children from a marriage of 64 years and in 2004 his son Hawk Koch
was elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences's Board of Governors
.
Television (director)
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
of motion pictures
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he attended DeWitt Clinton High School
DeWitt Clinton High School
DeWitt Clinton High School is an American high school located in the Bronx, New York City, New York.-History:Clinton opened in 1897 at 60 West 13th Street at the northern end of Greenwich Village under the name of Boys High School, although this Boys High School was not related to the one in Brooklyn...
and the Peddie School
Peddie School
The Peddie School is a college preparatory school in Hightstown, New Jersey, United States. It is a nondenominational, coeducational boarding school located on a 280‑acre campus, and serves students in the ninth through twelfth grades, plus a small post-graduate class...
in Hightstown, New Jersey
Hightstown, New Jersey
Hightstown is a Borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,494.Hightstown was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1853, within portions of East Windsor Township. The borough became...
. He began his film career as an employee at Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie 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
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
appointed him head of film production, a position he held until 1966 when he left to set up his own production company.
Mr. Koch is occasionally confused by movie fans with the other Howard Koch
Howard Koch
Howard Koch is the name of:* Howard Koch , American screenwriter* Howard W. Koch , American film and TV director, producer* Hawk Koch , American film producer...
(Howard E. Koch, 1901-1995), who received an Academy Award as one of the co-authors of Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
(with Philip Epstein and Julius Epstein
Julius Epstein
Julius Epstein may refer to:* Julius Epstein , Austrian pianist and Professor at the Music Conservatory, Vienna* Julius J. Epstein , American screenwriter...
). Unlike Howard W. Koch, Howard E. Koch was blacklisted as a Communist and went through the same problems as most blacklisted Hollywood writers, including a move to England, writing under pseudonyms, and finally returning to New York. Also, Howard W. Koch (and not Howard E. Koch) was the father of prominent Hollywood movie producer Howard W. Koch, Jr., also known as "Hawk" Koch.
Among his numerous television productions, Howard W. Koch produced the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
show on eight occasions. Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
from 1977 to 1979. In 1990 the Academy honored him with the The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is awarded periodically by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Academy Award ceremonies for an individual's outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes...
and in 1991 he received the Frank Capra Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America is an entertainment labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry...
.
Together with actor Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas
Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz...
, Howard Koch owned Telly's Pop
Telly's Pop
Telly's Pop was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the first horse to ever win the California Triple Crown for two-year-olds...
, winner of several important California races for juveniles including the Norfolk Stakes and Del Mar Futurity
Del Mar Futurity
The Del Mar Futurity is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. A Grade I event since 2007, the race is open to horses, age two, willing to race seven furlongs on Polytrack synthetic dirt and offers a purse of $250,000.The race is currently...
.
Howard W. Koch suffered from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and died Los Angeles in 2001. He had two children from a marriage of 64 years and in 2004 his son Hawk Koch
Hawk Koch
Howard Winchel Koch, Jr. is an American motion picture producer, a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and a former road manager for the musical groups The Supremes and The Dave Clark Five.Almost always known by the nickname "Hawk", he was raised in...
was elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences's Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
.
Filmography
Film (producer):- Shields for Murder (1954)
- Frankenstein 1970Frankenstein 1970Frankenstein 1970 is a 1958 science fiction horror film, starring Boris Karloff and Don 'Red' Barry. This independent film was directed by Howard W. Koch, and its alternative titles were Frankenstein 1960 and Frankenstein 1975. Released on a low budget, the film was originally intended to be...
(1958) - The Manchurian CandidateThe Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)The Manchurian Candidate is a 1962 American Cold War political thriller film starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury, and featuring Henry Silva, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish and John McGiver...
(1962) - Come Blow Your HornCome Blow Your Horn (film)Come Blow Your Horn is a 1963 comedy film directed by Bud Yorkin and based on the play of the same name.-Cast:* Frank Sinatra - Alan Baker* Lee J. Cobb - Harry R. Baker* Molly Picon - Mrs. Sophie Baker* Barbara Rush - Connie...
(1963) - Robin and the 7 HoodsRobin and the 7 HoodsRobin and the 7 Hoods is a 1964 American musical film that transplants the Robin Hood legend to a 1930s Chicago gangster setting. Directed by Gordon Douglas and produced by Frank Sinatra, with a screenplay by David R. Schwartz, the movie stars members of the Rat Pack as well as Bing Crosby, Peter...
(1964) - The Odd CoupleThe Odd Couple (film)The Odd Couple is a 1968 comedy film written by Neil Simon, based on his play The Odd Couple, directed by Gene Saks, and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau...
(1968) - On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever (film)On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is a 1970 American musical/romantic fantasy film directed by Vincente Minnelli. The screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner is adapted from his book for the 1965 stage production of the same name...
(1970) - Plaza SuitePlaza Suite (film)Plaza Suite is a 1971 American comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller. The screenplay by Neil Simon is based on his 1968 play of the same title. The film stars Walter Matthau, Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris and Lee Grant.-Plot:...
(1971) - Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972)
- Once Is Not EnoughOnce Is Not EnoughOnce Is Not Enough is a 1973 novel by Jacqueline Susann. It was the #2 best-selling novel of 1973 in the United States. It was made into a 1975 film Once Is Not Enough, Jacqueline Susann's Once Is Not Enough, directed by Guy Green and starring Kirk Douglas, Deborah Raffin, David Janssen and Brenda...
(1975) - The Other Side of MidnightThe Other Side of Midnight (film)The Other Side of Midnight is a 1977 American film directed by Charles Jarrott and starring Marie-France Pisier, John Beck and Susan Sarandon...
(1977) - Airplane!Airplane!Airplane! is a 1980 American satirical comedy film directed and written by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker and released by Paramount Pictures...
(1980) - Some Kind of HeroSome Kind of HeroSome Kind of Hero is a 1982 film starring Richard Pryor as a returning Vietnam War veteran having trouble adjusting to civilian life. Soon he is involved in an organized crime heist. It was directed by Michael Pressman....
(1982) - Airplane II: The SequelAirplane II: The SequelAirplane II: The Sequel is an American comedy sequel to the 1980 film Airplane!. First released on December 10, 1982, the film was written and directed by Ken Finkleman and stars Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Chad Everett, William Shatner, Rip Torn, and Sonny Bono.-Plot:In the near...
(1982) - GhostGhost (film)Ghost is a 1990 romantic drama film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. It was written by Bruce Joel Rubin and directed by Jerry Zucker.-Plot:...
(1990)
Television (director)
- MaverickMaverick (TV series)Maverick is a western television series with comedic overtones created by Roy Huggins. The show ran from September 22, 1957 to July 8, 1962 on ABC and stars James Garner as Bret Maverick, a cagey, articulate cardsharp. Eight episodes into the first season, he was joined by Jack Kelly as his brother...
- Hawaiian EyeHawaiian EyeHawaiian Eye is an American television series that ran from October 1959 to September 1963 on the American Broadcasting Company television network.-Premise:...
- CheyenneCheyenne (TV series)Cheyenne is a western television series of 108 black-and-white episodes broadcast on ABC from 1955 to 1963. The show was the first hour-long western, and in fact the first hour-long dramatic series of any kind, with continuing characters, to last more than one season...
- The UntouchablesThe Untouchables (1959 TV series)The Untouchables is an American crime drama that ran from 1959 to 1963 on ABC. Based on the memoir of the same name by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley, it fictionalized the experiences of Eliot Ness, a real-life Prohibition agent, as he fought crime in Chicago during the 1930s with the help of a...
- Miami UndercoverMiami UndercoverMiami Undercover is an American detective drama that aired in broadcast syndication in 1961 for a total of 38 episodes. The series co-starred former Boxer Rocky Graziano. -Synopsis:...