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Hal Roach

Birth Name:
Harold Eugene Roach
Birth Place:
Elmira, New York, United States
Profession
Producer, Writer, Director, Actor, Assistant director, Composer
  • 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
  • 1932Oscar - Best Short Subject, Comedy:Winner
  • 1937Oscar - Best Short Subject, One-reel:Winner
  • 2016Retro Hugo - Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form:Nominated
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