Milton H. Bren

Milton H. Bren (June 14, 1904 – December 14, 1979) was a Hollywood movie producer and real estate developer.

Milton H. Bren
Born(1904-06-14)June 14, 1904
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 1979(1979-12-14) (aged 75)
Orange, California, U.S.
Occupationmovie producer
real estate developer
Spouse(s)Marion Newbert (1930—1948; divorced; 2 sons)
Claire Trevor (m. 1948)
Children2, including Donald Bren

Biography

Bren was born in Los Angeles in 1904 to a Jewish family,[1] the son of Sadie (née Simon) and Harry Bren. He first worked as a talent agent. In 1937, he accepted a job at Hal Roach Studios as an associate producer[2] where he produced the film Topper, the studio's first feature film, which was wildly successful. In 1938, he was elevated to producer. In March 1939, he accepted a job at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a producer[2] eventually becoming an Executive Vice President. From 1939–1940 he maintained a home in Palm Springs, California.[3] He later served in the United States Navy during World War II as a lieutenant commander.[4]

Milton Bren later became a real estate developer known for developing part of Sunset Strip.[5]

Select filmography

Personal life

In 1930, at age 27, Bren married 18-year-old Marion Newbert who was of partial Irish descent. They divorced in 1948. (Marion Newbert remarried in 1953 to steel businessman Earle M. Jorgensen and became a prominent philanthropist).[1] They had two sons: Donald, who became chairman of the Irvine Company in Newport Beach, California, and Peter, a senior partner with KBS Investors in New York City.[4][6]

In 1948, Bren remarried, to Academy Award-winning actress Claire Trevor; they remained married until his death. Bren's grandson, Steve, is a former Grand Prix racing champion.

Death

Milton Bren died on December 14, 1979, aged 75, in Orange, California from a brain tumor.

References
  1. Ronnie and Nancy: Their Path to the White House – 1911 to 1980 By Bob Colacello retrieved January 14, 2012
  2. History of the Hal Roach Studios By Richard Lewis Ward retrieved March 7, 2013
  3. Meeks, Eric G. (2014) [2012]. The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. p. 37. ISBN 978-1479328598.
  4. Orange County Register: "Marion Jorgensen, Don Bren's mother, dead at 96" by Jon Lansner; June 20, 2008; retrieved April 13, 2014.
  5. Los Angeles Times: "Irvine Co. Land Baron to Sell Interest in Properties" by Debora Vrana, March 11, 1996.
  6. Businessweek: "Peter Milton Bren – Co-Founder, KBS Companies"; retrieved March 7, 2013
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.