David O. Selznick

Date of Birth: May 10, 1902

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: June 22, 1965

Biography

David O. Selznick was an iconic American film producer, renowned for his work during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Born on May 10, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Selznick was the son of silent movie producer Lewis J. Selznick. He attended Columbia University but left to pursue a career in film, initially working for his father’s company. Selznick later moved to Hollywood, where he worked for major studios like MGM and Paramount Pictures before founding his own production company, Selznick International Pictures, in 1935. Selznick is best known for producing the legendary film “Gone with the Wind” (1939), which won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. His meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to filmmaking earned him a place among the industry’s greats. Selznick also produced other notable films like “Rebecca” (1940), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and “Since You Went Away” (1944). Despite his professional success, Selznick’s personal life was tumultuous. He married Irene Mayer, daughter of MGM founder Louis B. Mayer, in 1930, and they had two sons. The couple divorced in 1948, and Selznick later married actress Jennifer Jones in 1949, with whom he had one daughter. David O. Selznick passed away on June 22, 1965, in Hollywood, California, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic masterpieces that continue to influence filmmakers today.

5 Interesting Facts about David O. Selznick

1. David O. Selznick won two Academy Awards for Best Picture: for “Gone with the Wind” and “Rebecca.”

2. He was known for his obsessive attention to detail, often rewriting scripts and reshooting scenes multiple times.

3. Selznick was instrumental in bringing Alfred Hitchcock to Hollywood, producing Hitchcock’s first American film, “Rebecca.”

4. He was one of the first producers to receive on-screen credit, which was uncommon at the time.

5. Selznick’s production company, Selznick International Pictures, was responsible for several groundbreaking films, but it was dissolved in 1943 due to financial difficulties.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David O. Selznick

1. “The difference between reality and unreality is that reality has so little to recommend it.”

2. “I’m a writer. If I seem egotistical, it’s because I have the right to be.”

3. “Success is a combination of ideas, hard work, and luck.”

4. “Hollywood is a strange place if you’re in trouble. Everybody thinks it’s contagious.”

5. “I’m a perfectionist. I don’t believe in compromising on any aspect of my films.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, David O. Selznick’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, a considerable sum during his era.

Children

David O. Selznick had three children: 1. Lewis Jeffrey Selznick (1932–1999) with Irene Mayer Selznick. 2. Daniel Mayer Selznick (b. 1936) with Irene Mayer Selznick. 3. Mary Jennifer Selznick (1954–1976) with Jennifer Jones.