Date of Birth: September 9, 1894
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: April 12, 1973
Biography
Arthur Freed was an influential American lyricist and film producer, best known for his work during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born Arthur Grossman, he started his career in vaudeville and nightclubs before transitioning to songwriting. Freed collaborated with composer Nacio Herb Brown on numerous successful songs, including “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Broadway Melody.” His career took a significant turn when he joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) as a producer. At MGM, Freed was instrumental in producing some of the most iconic musicals of all time, including “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952), and “Gigi” (1958). His production unit, known as the “Freed Unit,” became synonymous with quality and innovation in musical films. Freed received numerous accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Honorary Award in 1951 for his contributions to the movie musical.
5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Freed
1. Arthur Freed was originally a song-plugger before he became a successful lyricist and producer.
2. He won two Academy Awards for Best Picture for “An American in Paris” (1951) and “Gigi” (1958).
3. Freed was known for giving many directors and choreographers their big breaks, including Vincente Minnelli and Gene Kelly.
4. His lyrics have been performed by some of the greatest artists of all time, including Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.
5. Arthur Freed was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur Freed
1. “Don’t try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.”
2. “A good song is like a good movie: it has to tell a story, convey emotion, and be memorable.”
3. “The secret to success in Hollywood is to be able to make a decision and stand by it.”
4. “Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.”
5. “The best musicals have something to say about life and human nature.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Arthur Freed’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Arthur Freed had two children: a son, Victor Freed, and a daughter, Barbara Freed-Saltman.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: Arthur Freed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Freed
2. [IMDb: Arthur Freed](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0292982/
3. [Songwriters Hall of Fame: Arthur Freed](https://www.songhall.org/profile/Arthur_Freed
4. [Turner Classic Movies: Arthur Freed](http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/67820%7C13756/Arthur-Freed/
5. [AllMusic: Arthur Freed](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/arthur-freed-mn0000602198/biography