Leo Jaffe (April 23, 1909 in New York City,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

– August 20, 1997 in New York City,

) was an American film executive. He was chairman of the board of Columbia Pictures from 1973 until his retirement in 1981. He is the father of film producer Stanley R. Jaffe and film agent Andrea Jaffe.

Career

The son of Lithuanian immigrants, Jaffe began working in a

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in the Bronx to put himself through college. While still a graduate at New York University, he began working in the mailroom at Columbia in the summer of 1930, spending his entire career there and working his way to the top. He became a travelling auditor and worked his way up the finance department, becoming treasurer and member of the board in 1956 and executive vice president in 1962. He ran the studio during the 1960s and 1970s becoming president in 1967 and chairman in August 1973. In 1979, Jaffe received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Jean Hersholt Award. In 1981 he retired after 51 years with the company and became chairman emeritus.

Personal life

In 1968, Jaffe received the Bronze Medallion, New York City's highest civilian honor. In 1994, a Golden Palm Star on the

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, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated
He was married three times and had three sons, Howard, Ira and Stanley and two daughters, Marie and Andrea. He is the father to producer and director Stanley R. Jaffe known for the movie Krammer Vs. Krammer. Stanley went on to have two children Robert and Elizabeth Jaffe

References

External links

* 1909 births 1997 deaths Businesspeople from New York City American people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent American film studio executives Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award winners 20th-century American businesspeople {{US-film-bio-stub