JP
Photo of Joe Pasternak

Joe Pasternak

Producer, Actor, Additional Credits
Born September 19, 1901Died September 13, 1991 (89 years)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joseph Herman "Joe" Pasternak (September 19, 1901 – September 13, 1991) was an Hungarian-born American film producer in Hollywood.

He was born to a Jewish family in Szilágysomlyó, Austria-Hungary (now Șimleu Silvaniei, Romania). His father was a town clerk and Pasternak was one of eleven children.

In 1920 he emigrated to the US as a teenager and went to stay with an uncle in Philadelphia. He worked in a factory, punching holes in leather belts, and did a variety of other jobs. He also studied acting in New York.

Pasternak became an assistant director at Paramount on The Phantom of the Opera (1925). Several years later he was directing at Universal. In 1928 Universal sent him as an associate producer to Germany. Upon return from Europe he produced a number of hits with new talent such as Deanna Durbin and Gloria Jean, reputedly saving Universal from Bankruptcy.

Pasternak also had careers at MGM, Fox and Euterpe. He made mostly musicals.

In 1968 he was stricken with Parkinson's Disease. He recovered slightly two years later but made no more films. He said at the time "I am proud that I have produced 105 pictures and not one of them is adults only."

In 1980 he estimated his films had earned $400 million. "If I had a percentage I'd be the richest man in town," he said.

His career as a film producer spanned 40 years and earned him two Oscar nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. He retired in 1968, having produced more than ninety feature-length films as well as three Academy Award shows.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • The Phantom of the Opera
Known For
  • Destry Rides Again
  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • Anchors Aweigh
  • Please Don't Eat the Daisies
  • Summer Stock
  • Love Me or Leave Me
  • In the Good Old Summertime
  • Party Girl
  • The Courtship of Eddie's Father
  • Where the Boys Are
  • Girl Happy
  • The Opposite Sex
  • It Started with Eve
  • Seven Sinners
  • Three Smart Girls
  • A Date with Judy
  • Presenting Lily Mars
  • One Hundred Men and a Girl
  • Thousands Cheer
  • Penelope
  • On an Island with You
  • The Student Prince
  • Meet Me in Las Vegas
  • Small Town Girl

Filmography

1968
1967
1966
Penelope · as Executive Producer
1966
1966
1966
1965
1965
1964
1963
1963
1962
1962
1960
1960
1959
1958
1957
1957
1956
1956
1955
1955
1954
1954
1954
1953
1953
1953
1953
The Academy Awards (TV Series)
1952
1952
1952
1951
1951
1951
1950
1950
1950
1950
1949
1949
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1947
1947
1946
1946
1946
1945
1945
1945
1944
1944
1944
1943
1943
1942
1941
1941
1941
1940
1940
1940
1939
1939
1939
1939
1938
1938
1938
1937
1936
1936
1935
1934
1934
1930
1929

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