Samuel Goldwyn

Date of Birth: August 27, 1879

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: January 31, 1974

Biography

Samuel Goldwyn, born Schmuel Gelbfisz, was a pioneering film producer and a founding contributor to the Hollywood film industry. Born on August 27, 1879, in Warsaw, Poland, he emigrated to the United States to escape the anti-Semitic environment of Eastern Europe. Goldwyn initially worked in the glove business before finding his true calling in the film industry. He co-founded Goldwyn Pictures Corporation in 1916, which later merged with other entities to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of the leading studios in Hollywood’s Golden Age. Despite the merger, Goldwyn continued to produce films independently under Samuel Goldwyn Productions, where he was known for his perfectionism and commitment to quality. His legacy includes classic films such as “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946), which won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Samuel Goldwyn passed away on January 31, 1974, leaving behind an indelible mark on the motion picture industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Samuel Goldwyn

1. Samuel Goldwyn was originally named Schmuel Gelbfisz.

2. He co-founded Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, which eventually became part of the iconic MGM studio.

3. Goldwyn was known for his malapropisms, often called “Goldwynisms,” such as “Include me out.”

4. He received the Academy Honorary Award in 1946 for his contributions to the motion picture industry.

5. His son, Samuel Goldwyn Jr., also became a notable film producer, continuing the family legacy in Hollywood.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Samuel Goldwyn

1. “Include me out.”

2. “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”

3. “I don’t think anybody should write his autobiography until after he’s dead.”

4. “I’ll take fifty percent efficiency to get one hundred percent loyalty.”

5. “Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Samuel Goldwyn’s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million, which would be equivalent to several hundred million dollars today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Samuel Goldwyn had one child, Samuel Goldwyn Jr., born on September 7, 1926. Samuel Goldwyn Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a successful film producer known for his work on films like “Mystic Pizza” and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”