William LeBaron | |
|---|---|
 LeBaron c. 1919 | |
| Born | February 16, 1883 |
| Died | February 9, 1958 (aged 74) |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, playwright, screen writer, lyricist |
| Years active | 1920–1947 |
| Spouse | Mabel Hollins |
William LeBaron (February 16, 1883 – February 9, 1958) was an American film producer, lyricist, librettist, playwright, and screenwriter.
LeBaron authored several plays for Broadway; including the books and lyrics for several musicals in addition to non-musical works staged in New York City between 1911 and 1925. Some of these plays were adapted into films; including his 1917 play The Very Idea, which was made into a silent film in 1920 and a talking picture in 1929; and his 1921 play Nobody's Money, which was adapted into a film in 1923.[1] He also authored the libretti to operettas composed by Victor Herbert, Emmerich Kálmán, Fritz Kreisler and Victor Jacobi.[2]
By 1926 LeBaron had relocated from New York City to Los Angeles, and was thereafter predominantly active as a film producer. His film credits included Cimarron, which won the Academy Award for Outstanding Production at the 4th Academy Awards ceremony for 1930/1931. LeBaron also produced landmark comedy features from W. C. Fields, Mae West and Wheeler and Woolsey. In addition to being a producer, LeBaron served as the last production chief of Film Booking Offices of America and at FBO's successor, RKO Pictures, where he was replaced by David O. Selznick.
- ^ "William Le Baron, 74, pioneer film producer and playwright". Chicago Tribune. February 10, 1958. p. 72.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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