One of the most influential Hollywood producers who has succeeded in combining serious, ambitious projects with commercial success. Former newsman, press agent, literary agent and high-powered talent agent, Stark co-founded the Seven Arts Production Company, specializing in made-for-TV-movies, with film executive Eliot Hyman in 1957.
He produced his first independent feature in 1960 and, with the formation of Rastar Productions in 1966, embarked on a highly successful career as an independent producer beginning with "Funny Girl" (1968), the first of his many popular Barbra Streisand vehicles. Stark has also enjoyed multi-film collaborations with Neil Simon, Jackie Gleason, John Huston, Herbert Ross and Sydney Pollack. Married to Fanny Brice's daughter, Frances, until her death in 1992.
- Also Credited As:
Raymond Otto Stark
- Born:
October 3, 1914 in New York, New York
- Died:
January 17, 2004.
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Job Titles:
Producer, Journalist, Literary agent, Publicist, Talent agent
Family
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Daughter: Wendy Stark Morrissey. Los Angeles editor of Vanity Fair; married to producer John Morrissey until 2000
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Father-in-law: Jules W Arnstein.
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Granddaughter: Allison Morrissey.
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Mother-in-law: Fanny Brice. nicknamed Stark "The Rabbit"
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Son: Peter Stark. died in 1970
Significant Others
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Companion: Dee May. widow of department store heir David May; dating as of 1996
Education
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Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Milestones
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1957 Formed Seven Arts Productions (with Eliot Hyman)
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1960 Produced first independent feature film, "The World of Suzie Wong"
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1964 Produced first Broadway musical, "Funny Girl"
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1968 Resigned as executive vice president and head of production of Seven Arts to become independent producer; formed Rastar Productions to produce film, "Funny Girl"
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After WWII began career as representative for Red Ryder radio scripts; then became a literary agent representing Ben Hecht, Thomas B Costain and J P Marquand
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Formed Ray Stark Productions
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Joined Famous Artists Agency as a talent agent (represented Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton and Kirk Douglas)
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Worked as publicity writer for Warner Bros., then as West Coast entertainment editor for Fawcett Publications