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People we remember
Biographies are where we share about family & friends to connect with others who remember them.
Daniel Pinna:
"Celebrating Thanksgiving with mom and Lisa. Kathy lived from 9 - 16 years old in Seattle. She had thanksgiving with grandma Nel and grandpa Shirley at noon and then at 5 they drove across Seattle to Magnolia Bluff to celebrate with Aunt Elaine (grandpa’s sister) since she wouldn’t talk or interact with Shirley (her step grandfather). Her father was Hollis and when her mother died they adopted out all of the girls including Elaine."
Amanda S. Stevenson:
Ray Stark, Influential Hollywood Producer, Dies at 88
By Corey Kilgannon
Jan. 19, 2004
Ray Stark, one of the most successful independent producers in postwar Hollywood, died Saturday at his West Hollywood home. He was 88.
Mr. Stark, whose health had been flagging for some time, died of heart failure, said his daughter, Wendy Stark Morrissey.
Mr. Stark was a producer on more than 125 films, including ''Funny Girl,'' ''The Way We Were'' and ''The Sunshine Boys.''
His success making profitable films came from his eye for talent and good, adaptable storylines. He began his career as a literary and theatrical agent and became deft at pairing the right stars with the right plot, usually an adaptation of a popular book, or Broadway comedy or musical.
Mr. Stark made eight films with Herbert Ross, five with Jackie Gleason, four with John Huston, and three with Sydney Pollack.
But perhaps his best-known partnerships were with Barbra Streisand and the playwright Neil Simon. During an 18-year span, Mr. Stark produced 11 Simon scripts, including ''The Goodbye Girl'' and ''The Sunshine Boys.''
Mr. Stark gave Ms. Streisand her film debut with ''Funny Girl'' in 1968, based on the life of Fanny Brice, a star of ''The Ziegfeld Follies'' who was Mr. Stark's mother-in-law. He was married to her daughter, Frances Brice, for 53 years until she died in 1992.
''Ray was the last of the great old-world Hollywood producers,'' said Don Safran, a producer and longtime friend of Mr. Stark. ''Louis Mayer and Harry Cohn and Sam Goldwyn all mentored him when he was young. Ray used to say that the problem with the new Hollywood is that the creative people on top don't have time to teach the younger people.''
''He felt that talent was the most important thing, so he treated his stars like stars, whether they were actors, directors, or writers,'' he said. ''So they loved working with him again and again.''
Other films produced by Mr. Stark include ''Murder by Death'' (1976), ''California Suite'' (1978), ''The Cheap Detective'' (1978), ''The Electric Horseman'' (1979), ''Chapter Two'' (1979), ''Annie'' (1982) and ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'' (1986).
In the 1970's Mr. Stark became a power broker in Hollywood and was generous with business advice. He collected fine art and bred thoroughbred horses.
In 1980 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with the Irving G. Thalberg Award for his work as a producer.
But Mr. Stark remained until his death a private man who gave few interviews.
''As prolific a producer as he was, he was a quiet, gentle man at home,'' Ms. Stark Morrissey said in a telephone interview. ''He only did publicity for his films, not himself.''
''He liked doing comedy, films that were up and happy,'' she added. ''He didn't like negative or violent films.''
Mr. Stark attended Rutgers University and left law school in New York to move to Los Angeles in 1938. There, he worked as a reporter and in the publicity department at Warner Bros. He became a literary agent, with clients like Raymond Chandler, J. P. Marquand, and Ben Hecht.
Mr. Stark, who served in the Navy in World War II, became a theatrical agent at the Famous Artists Agency. He represented John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, William Holden, Kirk Douglas, Richard Burton and Ronald Reagan.
In 1957 he began producing and later formed Rastar Productions. ''Funny Girl'' was the first film that company produced.
Instead of offering the lead role to an established screen star, Mr. Stark picked Ms. Streisand after hearing her perform in a New York nightclub.
He also chose the three-time Oscar-winning director William Wyler to direct, although Mr. Wyler had never directed a musical.
Ms. Streisand won an Oscar as best actress, tying with Katharine Hepburn for ''The Lion in Winter.''
Mr. Stark never ran a film studio but became a major stockholder of Columbia, where he personally produced 17 films.
When Coca-Cola bought Columbia for $750 million in 1982, he took his Columbia holdings in Coke stock. By 1987 his shares were worth $44 million, and in 1984 Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at at least $175 million.
Mr. Safran said Mr. Stark recalled that during his days as a literary agent he sold a script that Louis Mayer wanted to another producer.
''Ray's partner said: 'If Louis Mayer is mad at us, we'll never work again. We're doomed,' '' Mr. Safran recalled. ''But Ray said: 'You don't understand. If Louis Mayer is mad at us, we're made.' ''
Other actors in films he produced won Oscars: George Burns for ''The Sunshine Boys,'' Richard Dreyfuss for ''The Goodbye Girl'' and Maggie Smith for ''California Suite.''
In addition to Ms. Stark Morrissey, Mr. Stark is survived by her daughter, Allison Gorsuch.
The New York Times
Amanda S. Stevenson:
Overview
Raymond Otto Stark was an American film producer and talent agent. Stark's background as a literary and theatrical agent prepared him to produce some of the most profitable films of the 1960s and 1970s,
Born: October 3, 1915, Chicago, IL
Died: January 17, 2004 (age 88 years), West Hollywood, CA
Spouse: Frances Arnstein (m. 1939–1992)
Place of burial: Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary, Los Angeles, CA
Parents: Sadie Stark, Maximilian Stark
Jan Robertson:
John was my baby brother. After John graduated he spent the summer with me in Minneapolis and after he returned to Ivanhoe he would visit me. We had a good relationship. We would go shopping, go to antique stores near Ivanhoe, casino by Pipestone, and just visiting, etc. I would talk to him everyday. I miss John and love him. I wish he was still with us. May God be kind to his soul, RIP.
Curtis Beitans:
The Age. Melbourne. 23rd September 1895.
- IN MEMORIAM.
SCOTT. - In loving memory of my dear
husband, William Haig Scott, who died
at the Alfred Hospital, on the 23rd of
September, 1894.
How sudden was his death to us,
And great surprise to all;
When God did say you must away,
Could he refuse His call ?
David Kruppenbach II:
My great Uncle Paul - I was the grand nephew of Paul Kruppenbach. He lived in Reading on Bern St. My name is David Paul Kruppenbach, 2nd. Named after my father. We share my great Uncle's first name as our middle name. Uncle Paul used to own and operate a small store next to the Rainbow Fire Co. on Exeter St. I helped my Dad fix our Uncle's roof when I was about 9 or ten years old. He always gave me a roll of wheat pennies. This time, he gave me ten rolls for helping with his roof. He was quite tall, over six feet. I'm not sure exactly, but his brother, my grandfather, Elmer was 6'3", and Uncle Paul was at least as tall or taller. He spoke little, but was always smiling and kind. He used to call me "little David ".
Frederick Hippchen:
Philly and I were buds and coworkers in Chicago. Many good times with him and Rosa - Philly and I had been buds for a long time when iin 1989 I got a job offer in Minneapolis, and my spouse, Mary and I were moving.
It really was hard on Philly and me . . . we had share so many adventures together . . . and survived. Rosa and Mary just shook their heads . . . I loved Phil dearly. When I moved, that was the last of our connection. Until right now at 9:37PM CST . . . Yucatan Peninsula Mexico.
So, I looked you up, Philly . . . and found Rosa as well. I just hit 80. Yeah, it surprises the hell out of me as well. You've seen it all from the Heavens, Phil. Some close calls there for me. I suspect Ill be along . . . although that old feeling that i'm going to be around for quite awhile came back gnawing on me . . . but eventually, I'll be there. I miss those Stoly' 100 Vodka you keep in the freezer. I poured out like syrup . . . you always gave me extra onions for my Vodka Gibsons. Love you, Philly, Rosa .. . my dear friends. Freddie
Malgorzata Poliszczuk:
My Dad - I don't remember my father very well. I was a baby when my parents divorced. I was in my fathers life until age 9. I have a fond memory of my Dad. He use to throw me in the air and catch me. I was sad my Dad wasn't always,around when I visited him at my grandmother's house. I never understood why. I was told negative stories about him.I don't recall.much if any positive memories. I forgive my Dad. He wasn't around I.don't understand why he never reached out to me as,an adult. The last time I saw my Dad as a,child was when his mother my grandmother passed away..I just turned 9. At least I think so. I do.remember a,time I went to restaurant shaped like a,ship.
My Dad was there. He asked if I wanted something to drink.
I was there with my 2 older sisters. One was 14. The other was 21. I was wearing pretty earrings. My Dad said they looked like chandeliers in my ears. My Dad wasn't a perfect person. No.one is. I understand that now. My Dad tried reaching out to us as,a,child. He got rejected. Maybe he was afraid it happen again
if he were to extend an invitation to me.to maybe go.out for a little lunch. My Dad gave me a nice pen knowing I never told him I like writing. That pen means,something to me. I have it it no longer writes but it's a reminder of my Dad. It's a pretty pink.pen with glitter and water mixed together. Little did I know I'd start writing poetry at age 22. My Dad passed away at age 60. I was 24. Too young to pass on. My father was perhaps misunderstood.
There's more to stories about someone than just what we've been told. Know. My Dad was an intense person. I know stuff about him that was all told to me but in a negative light. I want to remember my Dad as a complex human who had flaws like all of us,do in this,world. May he be at peace. I.love him.
Georgia Katsikadakos:
tagged Christos George Katsikadakos in this photo.