Harold Hecht
Harold Hecht , born in New York City, was an American film and theater producer, director, choreographer, actor and talent agent. He founded many film production companies with his friend, business partner and managed actor, Burt Lancaster, including Norma Productions, HechtLancaster Productions and HechtHillLancaster Productions. At the 28th Academy Awards ceremony in 1956, he won a Best Picture Oscar for the 1955 film Marty. He was again nominated three years later at the 31st Academy Awards ceremony for the 1958 film Separate Tables. The film did not win but Hecht did accept the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in place of Wendy Hiller who could not be present.
Harold Adolph Hecht was born on Juneof 1907 in Yorkville, New York City to Joseph Hecht and Rose Hecht. His father, born November 17, 1882 in the Kingdom of Bohemia immigrated to New York at the age ofin January 1899 working as a sailor. Once in New York he started working in construction and eventually made it up to the position of building contractor. His mother was born on January 18, 1882, though the location of her birth is debated. Sources vary between Czechoslovakia, Austria, Russia and even Pennsylvania. Joseph and Rose were married in 1906 in New York City and following Harold, had a daughter, Janet Hecht , in 1910. He attended public elementary and high schools, graduating in spring 1923 at the age of sixteen.
Source: Wikipedia