- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLee Morse Rich
- Lee Rich was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a banker and his wife. He graduated from the University of Ohio in Athens with a marketing degree. During World War II Mr. Rich served in the United States Navy reaching the rank of Lieutenant.
Mr. Rich began his career in advertising as an office boy at Lord & Thomas in New York. At the renowned ad agency Benton & Bowles Mr. Rich rose to senior vice president and a member of the board. In this position he ran the agency's program department and served as the sponsors' representative on numerous television shows including "The Andy Griffith Show," "Make Room for Daddy," "The Edge Of Night," "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" among many others.
In 1965, Rich became a producer when he became a partner in the Mirisch-Rich Co where he was the executive in charge of production on the World War II series "The Rat Patrol" and the sitcom "Hey, Landlord" created by Garry Marshall.
After briefly returning to the advertising industry with the Leo Burnett Agency, Mr. Rich returned to Hollywood when he formed Lorimar Productions with Merv Adelson. Some of their many successes include "The Waltons," "Falcon Crest," "Eight Is Enough," "Dallas," "Flamingo Road," "The Blue Knight," "Sybil" and "Helter Skelter."
In 1986 Mr. Rich left Lorimar to join MGM/UA as Chairman and CEO. In that position he greenlit a number of modern classics such as "A Fish Called Wanda,", "Moonstruck" and "Rain Man."
After leaving MGM/UA Mr. Rich set up Lee Rich Productions which was based at Warner Brothers.- IMDb Mini Biography By: PeterMH
- SpousesAngela Jo-Ellen Sollecito(October 17, 1983 - 1992) (divorced)Pippa Scott(December 16, 1964 - October 17, 1983) (divorced, 2 children)Theresa Terdiman(November 5, 1941 - 1951) (divorced, 1 child)
- ChildrenMichael George (Rich) HenesJessica Anne RichMiranda Lee RichBlair Alexandra Kaplan (Rich)Geoffrey Edwin Kaplan (Geoffrey Anthony Rich)
- American independent producer. Started with the advertising agency Benton & Bowles, marketing The Dick Van Dyke Show. Co-founded Mirisch-Rich Productions in 1965. Co-founded and acted as head of Lorimar Productions from 1969 (producing The Waltons, Dallas, Knots Landing, etc.). In 1986 became chairman and chief executive of MGM/UA Communications.
- He founded Lorimar Producers with Merv Adelson in 1969 and left in 1986. He was MGM/UA Communications Executive for two years.
- Ex-son-in-law of Allan Scott.
- He was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio and the older of two children. Son of a banker. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in marketing from Ohio University and went to New York City.
- He is survived by his ex-wife, Pippa Scott; five children, Michael Henes, Jessica Rich, Miranda Tollman, Blair Rich, and Anthony Rich.
- As an enforcer during the blacklist Red Scare: How did it work? We had a list. There were certain people on it, and Procter & Gamble wouldn't hire them.
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