Martin Richards (producer)
Martin Richards | |
---|---|
Born | Morton Richard Klein March 11, 1932 The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
Died | November 26, 2012 Manhattan, New York City, U.S. | (aged 80)
Occupation | Film producer |
Years active | 1971–2012 |
Spouse(s) | Mary Lea Johnson Richards |
Awards | Academy Award for Best Picture 2003 Chicago |
Martin Richards (born Morton Richard Klein; March 11, 1932 – November 26, 2012) was an Academy-Award winning American film producer.
Biography[]
Richards was born to Sidney "Sid" Klein, a stockbroker, and his wife, Shirley, and was raised just off the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.[1]
Career[]
Richards won an Arthur Godfrey talent search, then appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and at the Copacabana. He later became a casting director, then a Broadway theatre and film producer.[2]
Richards won the Best Picture Academy Award for Chicago, having optioned film rights to Miramax in 1991.[3] As a Broadway producer, he won three Tony Awards for Best Musical and one Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, out of 10 nominations.
Personal life[]
Despite being gay, Richards became the third husband of Johnson & Johnson heiress and producer Mary Lea Johnson Richards; reportedly, the couple "adored each other".[4]
Prior to their marriage, Johnson had been married to bisexual child psychiatrist Dr. Victor D'Arc, who she claimed in 1976 had conspired with his homosexual lover to hire a hitman and murder her;[5] a bodyguard was beaten almost to death during a break-in that almost killed Johnson and Richards.[4] Although the Bronx district attorney opened an investigation, no charges were ultimately brought, and the pair divorced in 1978.[6]
Johnson predeceased Richards in 1990, leaving him a $50 million fortune. Johnson's family waged a twelve-year court battle seeking to render Richards ineligible for a share of the Johnson & Johnson fortune. The court ruled in favor of Richards.[7] In memory of his late wife, Richards created the New York Center for Children to care for abused children and their families. Known to throw lavish parties, he was close to Chita Rivera,[2][4] who hosted a tribute to Richards on April 8, 2013, at the Edison Ballroom to benefit the center.[8]
Death[]
Richards died from liver cancer at his home in Manhattan on November 26, 2012, at age 80.[9][10] The marquees of Broadway theatres were dimmed in his memory the night of November 27, 2012 at 7 p.m.[11]
Filmography[]
- Chicago (producer) 2002
- Fort Apache, The Bronx (producer) 1981
- The Shining (associate producer: The Producer Circle Organization) 1980
- The Boys from Brazil (producer) 1978
- The Image (producer – as Marty Richards) 1975
- Fun and Games (producer – as Marty Richards) 1973
- Some of My Best Friends Are... (producer – as Marty Richards) 1971
References[]
- ^ Oscar and Tony-Winning Producer Martin Richards Dies at Age 80
- ^ Jump up to: a b KETCHAM, Diane (September 1, 1996). "When It Comes to Parties, See This Man". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "And The Oscar For Best Acceptance Goes To". The Free Lance–Star. March 27, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Gordon, Meryl (March 14, 2003). "Hey, Mr. Producer". New York Media LLC. New York Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ Lovenheim, Barbara (June 21, 1987). "FAMILY FORTUNE: TANGLED TALE". New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
- ^ Margolick, David (May 4, 1990). "Mary Lea Johnson Richards, 63, Founder of Production Company". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ Horner, Shirley (February 15, 1987). "ABOUT BOOKS". The New York Times.
- ^ GIOIA, MICHAEL (April 8, 2013). "Chita Rivera Hosts April 8 Memorial Celebrating Late Producer Marty Richards With Performances and Tributes". Playbill. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "Marty Richards, Tony-Winning Broadway and Film Producer, Dies at 80". Playbill.com. September 14, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ Telegraph.co.uk
- ^ "BROADWAY AND FILM PRODUCER MARTIN RICHARDS DIES". AP. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
External links[]
- 1932 births
- 2012 deaths
- Deaths from cancer in New York (state)
- Deaths from liver cancer
- Film producers from New York (state)
- Gay men
- Golden Globe Award-winning producers
- LGBT people from New York (state)
- LGBT producers
- People from the Bronx
- Producers who won the Best Picture Academy Award
- Tony Award winners