William LeBaron

William LeBaron (February 16, 1883 – February 9, 1958) was an American film producer. LeBaron's film credits included Cimarron, which won the Academy Award for Outstanding Production at the 4th Academy Awards ceremony for 1930/1931. LeBaron also produced landmark comedy features from W. C. Fields, Mae West and Wheeler and Woolsey. In addition to being a producer, LeBaron served as the last production chief of Film Booking Offices of America and at FBO's successor, RKO Pictures, where he was replaced by David O. Selznick.

William LeBaron
LeBaron c. 1919
Born(1883-02-16)February 16, 1883
Elgin, Illinois
DiedFebruary 9, 1958(1958-02-09) (aged 74)
Santa Monica, California
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1920–1947
Spouse(s)Mabel Hollins

Biography

LeBaron was born in Elgin, Illinois on February 16, 1883. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Chicago and New York University, and then spent a decade writing musical scores and lyrics for Broadway shows. He then wrote for some magazines and publications, before Joseph Kennedy, an investor in several of LeBaron's plays, suggested that LeBaron move to California in 1924. He joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1933 and became a production chief at several studios, including RKO Studios (1929-1931), Paramount Studios (1936-1941) and 20th Century Fox (1941 until his retirement in 1947).[1]

LeBaron died on February 9, 1958, a week before his 75th birthday, and was buried in Chapel of the Pines Crematory. He was married to Mabel Hollins (1887-1955), a British musical comedy actress.

Selected filmography

References
  1. "William LeBaron Biography" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2020.


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