Martin Richards (producer)

Martin Richards (born Morton Richard Klein; March 11, 1932 – November 26, 2012) was an Academy-Award winning American film producer.

Martin Richards
Born
Morton Richard Klein

(1932-03-11)March 11, 1932
The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 26, 2012(2012-11-26) (aged 80)
Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1971–2012
Spouse(s)Mary Lea Johnson Richards
AwardsAcademy Award for Best Picture
2003 Chicago

Biography

Richards was born to Sidney "Sid" Klein, a stockbroker, and his wife, Shirley, and was raised just off the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.[1]

Career

Richards won an Arthur Godfrey talent search, then appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and at the Copacabana. He later became a casting director, then a Broadway theatre and film producer.[2]

Richards won the Best Picture Academy Award for Chicago, having optioned film rights to Miramax in 1991.[3] As a Broadway producer, he won three Tony Awards for Best Musical and one Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, out of 10 nominations.

Personal life

Despite that Richards was gay, he became the third husband of Johnson & Johnson heiress and producer Mary Lea Johnson Richards; reportedly, the couple "adored each other".[4]

Prior to their marriage, Johnson was married to her second husband, bisexual child psychiatrist Dr. Victor D'Arc. In 1976, Johnson publicly declared that her estranged husband and his homosexual lover had conspired to murder her and had hired a hitman;[5] a hired bodyguard was beaten almost to death during a break-in that almost killed Johnson and Richards.[4] Subsequently, the Bronx D.A's office made a case, and opened an investigation, though no charges were brought; the pair divorced in 1978.[6] Johnson predeceased him, in 1990, leaving Richards a $50 million fortune. Subsequent to her death, Johnson's family waged a 12-year court battle seeking to render Richard's ineligible for a share of the Johnson & Johnson fortune. The court ruled in favor of Richards.[7]

He created the New York Center for Children to care for abused children and their families, in her memory. He was known to throw lavish parties, and was close to Chita Rivera, [2][4] who hosted a tribute to Richards on April 8, 2013, at the Edison Ballroom to benefit the center.[8]

Death

Richards died from liver cancer at his home in Manhattan on November 26, 2012, at age 80.[9][10] The marquees of Broadway theatres were dimmed in his memory the night of November 27, 2012 at 7 p.m.[11]

Filmography

References
  1. Oscar and Tony-Winning Producer Martin Richards Dies at Age 80
  2. KETCHAM, Diane (September 1, 1996). "When It Comes to Parties, See This Man". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  3. "And The Oscar For Best Acceptance Goes To". The Free Lance–Star. March 27, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  4. Gordon, Meryl (March 14, 2003). "Hey, Mr. Producer". New York Media LLC. New York Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  5. Lovenheim, Barbara (June 21, 1987). "FAMILY FORTUNE: TANGLED TALE". New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  6. Margolick, David (May 4, 1990). "Mary Lea Johnson Richards, 63, Founder of Production Company". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  7. Horner, Shirley (February 15, 1987). "ABOUT BOOKS". The New York Times.
  8. GIOIA, MICHAEL (April 8, 2013). "Chita Rivera Hosts April 8 Memorial Celebrating Late Producer Marty Richards With Performances and Tributes". Playbill. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  9. "Marty Richards, Tony-Winning Broadway and Film Producer, Dies at 80". Playbill.com. September 14, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  10. Telegraph.co.uk
  11. "BROADWAY AND FILM PRODUCER MARTIN RICHARDS DIES". AP. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
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