Date of Birth: May 30, 1899
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: September 14, 1936
Biography
Irving Grant Thalberg was an influential American film producer during the early years of Hollywood. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Thalberg’s career in the film industry began at a young age, and he quickly rose to prominence due to his keen eye for talent and innovative approach to filmmaking. He was often referred to as the “Boy Wonder of Hollywood” for his ability to produce successful films despite his young age. As a production executive at Universal Pictures and later at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Thalberg played a pivotal role in shaping the studio system and the future of cinema. Thalberg was responsible for producing some of the most iconic films of the silent and early sound eras, including “Ben-Hur,” “Grand Hotel,” and “Mutiny on the Bounty.” His collaborative approach to filmmaking and insistence on high-quality production values set new standards in the industry. Despite facing health challenges throughout his life, Thalberg’s contributions to cinema were vast and enduring. He married actress Norma Shearer in 1927, and the couple became one of Hollywood’s most famous power couples. Thalberg’s untimely death at the age of 37 marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to influence filmmakers to this day.
5 Interesting Facts about Irving Thalberg
1. Irving Thalberg was known as the “Boy Wonder” of Hollywood due to his incredible success at a young age.
2. Thalberg was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth and was not expected to live past his twenties.
3. He was instrumental in the development of the “pre-production” process, which included extensive script development and pre-planning.
4. Thalberg co-founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) with Louis B. Mayer and was a driving force behind its success.
5. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences created the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in his honor, which is awarded to producers for their exceptional body of work.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Thalberg
1. “Credit you give yourself is not worth having.”
2. “A story never looks as good as when the other fellow buys it.”
3. “Our greatest illusion is to believe that we are what we think ourselves to be.”
4. “The most important person in motion pictures is the writer, and we must do everything in our power to make writers feel important.”
5. “We want to establish that no producer has the right to destroy a writer’s work.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Irving Thalberg’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, a significant amount for the time.
Children
Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer had two children: 1. Irving Thalberg Jr. (1930–1987) 2. Katherine Thalberg (1935–2006)
Relevant Links
1. [Irving Thalberg – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0857071/
2. [Irving Thalberg – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Thalberg
3. [Irving Thalberg Memorial Award – Oscars.org](https://www.oscars.org/governors/thalberg
4. [Norma Shearer – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790454/
