(1873 – 1976)

Film mogul, director, producer. ‘Founder of Paramount Pictures’.

He became involved in the motion picture industry when in 1903 his cousin approached him for a loan. Zukor not only gave the money but insisted on forming a partnership. In 1912, he established Famous Players in Famous Plays as the American distribution company for the French film production. The next year, he obtained the financial backing of the Frohman brothers. Their primary goal was to bring noted stage actors to the screen, and they created the Famous Players Film Company. Later, it evolved into Paramount Pictures, of which he served as president until 1936.

Invented: organized production, distribution and exhibition within a single company.

Credited with: Paramount Pictures (1933) (earlier: Famous Players Film Company, Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation – 1927).