Biography:

Film executive. Born– Demopolis, Ala., May 28, 1886. Parents– Simon and Rachel (Bernheim) Mayer. Married– Lillie Stein, May 16, 1916. Children– Three. Education– A.B., Harvard University, 1907. Moved to New York on his graduation and took a job as a salesman with Goldwyn Pictures; later employed as director of publicity, advertising and promotion, Paramount Pictures, 1930-1933; operated the Rialto Theater, New York City, 1933-1950; president, Mayer-Burstyn Film Corporation, 1933-1950; president, Mayer-Kingsley Company, 1950-1954; president, Independent Motion Pictures Distributors Association, 1951-1957; assistant coordinating treasurer, World War II war activities of the motion picture industries, 1942-1946; film consultant to the Secretary of War, 1943-1946. Lectured and taught courses on the film industry in several universities. Executive vice president, Council of Motion Picture Organizations, 1950-1972; chairman, executive committee, Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, 1953-1974. Honors– L.H.D., Harvard, 1972; LL.D., Clark University, 1977.  Awarded the Medal of Merit by President Truman for his activities in World War II,. Died April 14, 1981.

Source:

Obituary, New York Times, April 15, 1981; Marquis who’s who online

Publication(s):

Merely Colossal; the Story of the Movies …. New York; Simon & Schuster, 1953.

Joint_Publication(s):

The Movies. New York; Simon & Schuster, 1957.

The Movie Stars. New York; Doubleday, 1970.