Howard E. Koch

Date of Birth: December 12, 1901

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: August 17, 1995

Biography

Howard E. Koch was an influential American playwright and screenwriter, best known for his work on the classic film “Casablanca” and the infamous radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” by Orson Welles. Born in New York City, Koch’s career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to both theater and film. Koch attended St. Lawrence University and Columbia Law School before deciding to pursue a career in writing. Initially, he wrote plays for the stage, but his talents soon led him to Hollywood, where he wrote for some of the biggest studios of the time. His work on “Casablanca” earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Aside from his prominent Hollywood career, Koch was also known for his political activism. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy era but continued to write under pseudonyms. His resilience and dedication to his craft made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Howard E. Koch

1. Howard E. Koch co-wrote the screenplay for the 1942 film “Casablanca,” which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

2. He was one of the writers for the 1938 radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds,” which caused widespread panic among listeners who believed the fictional story to be real.

3. Koch was blacklisted during the McCarthy era and wrote under various pseudonyms to continue his career.

4. He graduated from Columbia Law School but chose to pursue a career in writing instead of law.

5. Howard E. Koch was also a playwright, with works such as “In Time to Come” and “The Lonely Man.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Howard E. Koch

1. “The measure of a man is not how great his faith is, but how great his love is.”

2. “A writer’s job is to tell the truth.”

3. “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”

4. “The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.”

5. “Writing is a struggle against silence.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Howard E. Koch’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million at the peak of his career, considering the value of his works and contributions to the film industry.