Theatrical Producer. Born David Margulois in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest child of Celia and Samuel Margulois, a salesman. He attended St. Louis University where he earned a law degree. In 1939, he moved to New York and offered Broadway producer Herman Shumlin a $5,000 investment in a forthcoming comedy, 'The Male Animal.' When the play was a hit, he changed his name and went to work for Shumlin. After five years, he had his first Broadway hit with 'Fanny.' It was followed by back-to-back hits for the 1957 season, 'Matchmaker, 'Romanoff and Juliet,' and 'Look Back in Anger.' He became a master of public relations even as he was labeled misanthropic by many of his associates; he harassed theater critics who didn't like his shows, fought constantly with actors, directors and writers, and his relationships with other producers were described as more like blood feuds than simple rivalries. He was responsible for almost 90 Broadway shows, including , 'Gypsy' (1959), 'A Taste of Honey' (1960), 'Becket' (1960) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Hello, Dolly!' (1964) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Oh, What a Lovely War!' (1964), 'Cactus Flower '(1965), 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' (1967) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Play It Again, Sam' (1969), '42nd Street' (1980) for which he won a Tony Award; and 'Loot' (1986). He also received two honorary Tonys in the course of his career. He was featured on the cover or Time magazine in 1966. In 1972, he tried his hand in Hollywood, his first movie was 'Child's Play,' an adaptation of a stage production he produced two years earlier. He followed it with 'The Great Gatsby' (1974) 'Semi-Tough' (1977) and 'Rough Cut' (1980). Disliking the style of production, however, and the fact that he was not in sole charge, he quit the movie business and returned to Broadway. In 1983, a stroke all but ended his career, limiting his speech and mobility. He established the David Merrick Arts Foundation in 1998 to support the development of American musicals. 'David Merrick - The Abominable Showman: The Unauthorized Biography' by Howard Kissel was published in 2000.
Theatrical Producer. Born David Margulois in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest child of Celia and Samuel Margulois, a salesman. He attended St. Louis University where he earned a law degree. In 1939, he moved to New York and offered Broadway producer Herman Shumlin a $5,000 investment in a forthcoming comedy, 'The Male Animal.' When the play was a hit, he changed his name and went to work for Shumlin. After five years, he had his first Broadway hit with 'Fanny.' It was followed by back-to-back hits for the 1957 season, 'Matchmaker, 'Romanoff and Juliet,' and 'Look Back in Anger.' He became a master of public relations even as he was labeled misanthropic by many of his associates; he harassed theater critics who didn't like his shows, fought constantly with actors, directors and writers, and his relationships with other producers were described as more like blood feuds than simple rivalries. He was responsible for almost 90 Broadway shows, including , 'Gypsy' (1959), 'A Taste of Honey' (1960), 'Becket' (1960) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Hello, Dolly!' (1964) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Oh, What a Lovely War!' (1964), 'Cactus Flower '(1965), 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' (1967) for which he won a Tony Award; 'Play It Again, Sam' (1969), '42nd Street' (1980) for which he won a Tony Award; and 'Loot' (1986). He also received two honorary Tonys in the course of his career. He was featured on the cover or Time magazine in 1966. In 1972, he tried his hand in Hollywood, his first movie was 'Child's Play,' an adaptation of a stage production he produced two years earlier. He followed it with 'The Great Gatsby' (1974) 'Semi-Tough' (1977) and 'Rough Cut' (1980). Disliking the style of production, however, and the fact that he was not in sole charge, he quit the movie business and returned to Broadway. In 1983, a stroke all but ended his career, limiting his speech and mobility. He established the David Merrick Arts Foundation in 1998 to support the development of American musicals. 'David Merrick - The Abominable Showman: The Unauthorized Biography' by Howard Kissel was published in 2000.
Bio by: Iola
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