Marvin Worth

Marvin Worth (June 6, 1925 – April 22, 1998) was an American film producer, screenwriter and actor. His efforts to bring the biography of Malcolm X to the big screen started in 1967, when he purchased the rights to The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and eventually led to the production of the 1972 documentary, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Later on, he would produce Malcolm X, with director Spike Lee. He was nominated for an Oscar for producing Lenny in 1974.

Marvin Worth
Born(1925-06-06)June 6, 1925
Brooklyn, New York
DiedApril 22, 1998(1998-04-22) (aged 72)
Los Angeles, California
Other namesFilm producer, screenwriter, actor
Spouse(s)Joan Worth (ca. 1954 – April 22, 1998)

Early life and career

Worth's career began at a very early age when he began promoting jazz concerts, which led to relationship with many artists. At one time, he managed the musical careers of Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Later, Worth's employment as an agent branched into comedy, and he took on contentious comedian Lenny Bruce. In the 1950s, he forged a partnership with Arne Sultan and began writing material for Bruce. The duo went on to pen the scripts for Three on a Couch and Boys' Night Out and the story for Promise Her Anything. In 1958, Worth won a Peabody Award for his writing on The Steve Allen Show.[1]

In 1971, Worth brought the story of Lenny Bruce to Broadway in the production Lenny, which won a Tony Award for its star, Cliff Gorman.(Internet Broadway Database) [1][2] In 1974 the movie version of Lenny directed by Bob Fosse was released and received multiple Academy Award nominations. For the remainder of his career, Worth continued to produce biopics including the 1979 film The Rose (loosely based on Janis Joplin), the 1996 television movie Norma Jean & Marilyn, the 1998 television movie Gia, and the 2001 television movie James Dean.

Personal life and death

Worth was married to his wife Joan, an artist, for 44 years. They had three children.[3] On April 22, 1998, Worth died of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, a form of lung cancer, in Los Angeles.[4]

Selected filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Notes Other notes
1970Where's Poppa?
1974Lenny
1977Fire Sale
1979The Rose
1980Up the Academy
1982Soup for One
1984Unfaithfully Yours
Rhinestone
Falling in Love
1987Less Than Zero
Uncredited
1988Patty Hearst
1989See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1990Flashback
1992Malcolm X
1996DiaboliqueFinal film as a producer
As an actor
Year Film Role
1977Fire SaleMilton
As writer
Year Film Notes
1962Boys' Night Out
1965Promise Her Anything
1966Three on a Couch
1979The Rose
Uncredited
1989See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Notes
1984RhinestonePresenter

Television

Year Title Credit Notes Other notes
1966Vacation Playhouse
1971The SheriffExecutive producerTelevision film
1979Where's Poppa?Executive producerTelevision pilot
1992Running MatesTelevision film
1996Norma Jean & MarilynExecutive producerTelevision film
1998GiaExecutive producerTelevision film
Criminal LawTelevision film
2001James DeanExecutive producerTelevision film
Uncredited
As writer
Year Title Notes
1956Stanley
Washington Square
1957The Polly Bergen Show
General Motors 50th Anniversary ShowTelevision special
1958The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1959−60The Steve Allen Show
1960The Chevy Show
1961The New Steve Allen Show
1962The Steve Allen Playhouse
1963−64The Judy Garland Show
1965Get Smart
1966The Milton Berle Show
Script and continuity department
Year Title
1963The Judy Garland Show
Thanks
Year Title Role Notes
1993But... SeriouslyThanksDocumentary

Award nominations

Year Award Result Category Film or series
1973 Academy Award Nominated Best Documentary, Features Malcolm X (Shared with Arnold Perl)
1975 Best Picture Lenny
1998 Emmy Award Outstanding Made for Television Movie Gia (Shared with James D. Brubaker, David R. Ginsburg, and Ilene Kahn)
1985 Golden Raspberry Award Worst Picture Rhinestone (Shared with Howard Smith)

References

  1. Oliver, Myrna (April 24, 1998). "Marvin Worth; Producer of 'Lenny,' 'Malcolm X'". The L.A. Times. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  2. "Cliff Gorman: Dynamic star of 'Lenny' and 'The Boys in the Band'". independent.co.uk. September 16, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  3. McLellan, Dennis (December 31, 2006). "Joan Worth, 72; theatrical writer-producer". boston.com. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  4. Galloway, Doug (April 1998). "Marvin Worth (Writer/producer, age 72)". findarticles.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
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