Howard W. Koch

Howard Winchel Koch (April 11, 1916 – February 16, 2001) was an American producer and director of film and television.

Not to be confused with Howard Koch (screenwriter).
Howard W. Koch
Koch in 1966
Born
Howard Winchel Koch

(1916-04-11)April 11, 1916
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2001(2001-02-16) (aged 84)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)Ruth Pincus Koch[1] (1937–2001)
Children2 children including Hawk Koch

Life and career

Koch was born in New York City, the son of Beatrice (Winchel) and William Jacob Koch.[2] His family was Jewish.[3] He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey.[4] He began his film career as an employee at Universal Studios office in New York then made his Hollywood filmmaking debut in 1947 as an assistant director. He worked as a producer for the first time in 1953 and a year later made his directing debut. In 1964, Paramount Pictures appointed him head of film production, a position he held until 1966 when he left to set up his own production company. He had a production pact with Paramount for over 15 years.[5]

Among his numerous television productions, Howard W. Koch produced the Academy Awards show on eight occasions. Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1977 to 1979. In 1990 the Academy honored him with The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and in 1991 he received the Frank Capra Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America.

Together with actor Telly Savalas, Howard Koch owned Telly's Pop, winner of several important California races for juveniles including the Norfolk Stakes and Del Mar Futurity.

Howard W. Koch suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died in Los Angeles in February 2001. He had two children from a marriage of 64 years to Ruth Pincus, who died in March 2009.[6] In 2004, his son Hawk Koch was elected to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Filmography

Director

Film (director)

Television (director)

Producer

Film (producer):

Television (producer)

References
  1. "Howard W. Koch, Jr. Biography (1945-)". Flm Reference. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. "Howard W. Koch". Find A Grave. December 9, 2002. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  3. Sperling, Nicole; Julie Makinen (August 1, 2012). "How did new Academy president Hawk Koch get his unusual name?". Los Angeles Times.
  4. "Howard W. Koch Collection". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2011. Howard W. Koch (1916-2001) was born in New York City. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York and Peddie Preparatory School in Hightstown, New Jersey.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Spent 15 Years At Studio, More To Come; Koch On 5th Paramount Contract". Variety. October 14, 1971. p. 7.
  6. "Ruth Koch dies at 90". Variety. Associated Press. March 3, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
Walter Mirisch		 President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences
1977-1979		 Succeeded by
Fay Kanin
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