Hal Roach
Birth Name:
Harold Eugene Roach
Birth Place:
Elmira, New York, United States
Profession
Producer, Writer, Director, Actor, Assistant director, Composer
Fast Facts
- Though his iconic studio was torn down in 1963, The Sons of the Desert placed a plaque in the park across from where the studio once stood to commemorate the place once known as "The Lot of Fun․"
- Before settling down in Hollywood, he was an Alaskan gold prospector and a mule skinner
- Started out working as an extra in silent films, but after inheriting some money, began producing his own short comedies with his friend, Harold Lloyd
- His films, both his trademark shorts and the feature length films the changing industry eventually forced him to produce, were known for good production values, technical gloss and strong casts
- Produced and directed a number of series of short films, each starring a comedian who became an icon because of the opportunity
- Before World War II, which he served in as a lieutenant colonel, he and Mussolini had been business partners for several planned Italian film projects that never came to fruition
- Met Mark Twain when he was a child, and his grandfather lived on a Virginia plantation adjoined to Robert E․ Lee's
Awards
- 1932Oscar - Best Short Subject, Comedy:Winner
- 1937Oscar - Best Short Subject, One-reel:Winner
- 2016Retro Hugo - Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form:Nominated