Co-founder of Paramount Pictures, he revolutionized the film industry by producing feature-length movies and introducing the star system. He played a crucial role in shaping Hollywood's Golden Age.
Jesse L. Lasky is renowned for being a key founder of Paramount Pictures, one of the most iconic film studios in the world. He was a pioneering motion picture producer who played a crucial role in shaping the American film industry in the early 20th century.
Born on September 13, 1880, in San Francisco, California, to a Jewish family, Lasky's early life was marked by a passion for entertainment. He worked at various jobs before beginning his career as a vaudeville performer, playing the cornet in a duo act with his sister Blanche.
In 1911, Lasky produced two Broadway musicals, Hello, Paris and A La Broadway. It was during this time that he met Beatrice deMille, who introduced him to her son Cecil B. DeMille. This introduction would prove to be a turning point in Lasky's career.
In 1913, Lasky teamed up with his sister's husband, Samuel Goldfish (later known as Samuel Goldwyn), Cecil B. DeMille, and Oscar Apfel to form the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. With limited funds, they rented a barn near Los Angeles, which would become the site of Hollywood's first feature film, DeMille's The Squaw Man. This barn is now known as the Lasky-DeMille Barn and is home to the Hollywood Heritage Museum.
Lasky's company produced a string of successful films, including Brewster's Millions, The Call of the North, Cameo Kirby, The Circus Man, The Ghost Breaker, The Making of Bobby Burnit, The Man from Home, The Man on the Box, The Master Mind, The Only Son, and The Virginian (all released in 1914). Other notable films include The Cheat, Carmen, and Kindling (1915), The Blacklist (1916), and The Bottle Imp (1917).
In 1916, Lasky's company merged with Adolph Zukor's rival company, Famous Players Film Company, to form Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Zukor became the president, while Lasky took on the role of vice-president in charge of production.
Lasky's contributions to the film industry are immeasurable. He played a crucial role in establishing Paramount Pictures, which would go on to become one of the most iconic film studios in the world. His legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and entrepreneurs to this day.
Lasky was married to Bessie G. Lasky, and they had a son, Jesse L. Lasky Jr., who would go on to become a successful screenwriter. Lasky passed away on January 13, 1958, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the film industry.
Lasky was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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