William Goetz

Biography

William Goetz (March 24, 1903 – August 15, 1969) was an influential American film producer and studio executive who played an important role in the development of the Hollywood studio system. He was one of the founders of Twentieth Century Pictures, which later became 20th Century Fox.

Early Life

Goetz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the youngest of eight children. He moved to Hollywood in the 1920s and began working in the film industry, gradually advancing from crew work to production positions. By 1930, he had become an associate producer at Fox Films.

That same year, he married Edith Mayer, the daughter of MGM chief Louis B. Mayer.

Hollywood Career

In 1932, Goetz became a partner with Joseph M. Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck in the creation of Twentieth Century Pictures. After its merger with Fox Films in 1935, Goetz became vice president of 20th Century-Fox.

He was associated with major productions including The House of Rothschild (1934), Les Misérables (1935), and The Call of the Wild (1935). The House of Rothschild earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

During World War II, Goetz temporarily took charge of 20th Century-Fox while Zanuck served in the military. He later founded International Pictures, which eventually merged with Universal Pictures to form Universal-International, where Goetz became head of production.

Independent Producer

Goetz left the studio system in the 1950s and established William Goetz Productions. Among his most notable independent productions were:

• The Man from Laramie (1955)
• Autumn Leaves (1956)
• Sayonara (1957)
• Me and the Colonel (1958)
• They Came to Cordura (1959)
• Song Without End (1960)
• The Mountain Road (1960)
• Cry for Happy (1961)
• Assault on a Queen (1966) 

Sayonara

One of Goetz's most celebrated productions was Sayonara (1957), directed by Joshua Logan and starring Marlon Brando. The film explored interracial relationships between American servicemen and Japanese women in postwar Japan.

It was a major critical success and received several Academy Award nominations, winning four Oscars, including awards for Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki.

Legacy

Goetz was an important figure in the transition from the traditional studio system toward independent film production. He was also known for helping develop the profit-participation arrangement, notably through James Stewart's deal for Winchester '73, which became influential in Hollywood.

Beyond filmmaking, Goetz was an art collector and thoroughbred horse owner. His horse Your Host won the 1950 Santa Anita Derby and later became the sire of champion racehorse Kelso.

Death

William Goetz died of cancer on August 15, 1969, in Los Angeles, at the age of 66.