Jack J. Gross

for the American film and screenwriter please see Jack Gross

Jack J. Gross
BornJuly 29, 1902
New York City
DiedMarch 12, 1964
London, England
NationalityUS
Other namesJacob Jerome Gross
Occupationmotion picture and television producer
Spouse(s)Hilda Ruth Gross (m 1929-1964, his death)

Jack J. Gross (born July 29, 1902 in New York City, died March 12, 1964, age 61, London, England) was a motion picture and television producer.

Early years

Jack Gross was the son of George and Pauline Gross, Jewish immigrants from Hungary and Romania, respectively. The oldest of three brothers, Jack Gross began working as an usher after school in New York City, as a projectionist in St. Joseph, Missouri, and as a theater manager in South Bend, Indiana, Eldorado, Kansas, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, before being appointed western division manager of RKO Theaters.[1]

Producer

In 1939, Gross became a producer at Universal Pictures, remaining there until 1943, when he was appointed executive producer at RKO. Gross joined Philip N. Krasne in 1952 to form Gross-Krasne, Inc, a pioneer American independent producer of television films. They produced, among other programs, the Big Town and Mayor of the Town.[2] Gross-Krasne also acquired the rights to O. Henry's stories and filmed 39 half-hour O. Henry Playhouse television shows.[3][4] In 1952, Gross-Krasne bought the California Studios (now the Raleigh Studios) where many of their productions were filmed.[5]

Death

In the Connaught Hotel, Gross died suddenly of basilar cerebral thrombosis while on a business trip to London. His remains were cremated and dispersed in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, London.[6]

Selected filmography

References
  1. TV-Film: TV Film Guest of the Week. The Billboard (Archive: 1894-1960) 65.42 (Oct 17, 1953): 9
  2. Jack J. Gross on the Internet Movie Database
  3. Film: Gross-Krasne Expands With 'O. Henry' Success. Broadcasting, Telecasting (Archive: 1945-1957) 51.22 (Nov 26, 1956):66.
  4. Gross-Krasne Productions on the Internet Movie Database
  5. Gross-Krasne Buys California Studios. The Billboard (Archive: 1894-1960)64.40 (Nov 29, 1952): 11
  6. Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad, 1835-1974. Jacob Jerome Gross
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