Martin Melcher

Melcher was born in North Adams, Massachusetts to Jewish parents Minnie (Gabriner) and Alter Melcher.[1] He began his career as a song plugger while married to his first wife, singer Jane Rappaport, in New York. He then worked as an agent and road manager for the Andrews Sisters and married Patty Andrews on October 19, 1947. The couple divorced on March 30, 1950.

Melcher married Doris Day in 1951, and they formed their own production company, Arwin Productions, in 1952. All but one of Melcher's film projects were starring vehicles for Day.

In 1962, Melcher made his only foray into Broadway theatre with The Perfect Setup, a play starring Gene Barry, Angie Dickinson and Jan Sterling. It closed after five performances.[2]

Melcher died on April 20, 1968. According to Day's 1975 autobiography, Melcher's physician informed her that Melcher suffered from an enlarged heart. Melcher practiced Christian Science and elected not to seek medical intervention until his condition deteriorated.

Shortly after Melcher's death, Day discovered that he had committed her to a CBS situation comedy, The Doris Day Show, without consulting with her. He had also embezzled millions of dollars that she had earned throughout their marriage because of poor investments and had left her deeply in debt. Day sued Melcher's business partner Jerome B. Rosenthal and was awarded nearly $23 million for fraud and malpractice following a 99-day trial. Rosenthal declared bankruptcy, and in August 1977 Day settled with his insurers for $6 million, which was paid in 23 annual installments.[3]

• Martin Melcher at IMDb

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