Howard W. Koch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Howard Winchel Koch (April 11, 1916 - February 16, 2001) was an American director and producer of motion pictures and television.

Born in New York City, he attended Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey. He began his film career as an employee at Universal Studios office in New York then made his Hollywood filmmaking debut in 1947 as an assistant director. He worked as a producer for the first time in 1953 and a year later made his directing debut. In 1964, Paramount Studios appointed him head of film production, a position he held until 1966 when he left to set up his own production company.

Among his numerous television productions, Howard W. Koch produced the Academy Awards show on eight occasions. Dedicated to the industry, he served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1977 to 1979. In 1990 the Academy honored him with the The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and in 1991 he received the Frank Capra Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America.

Howard W. Koch suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died Los Angeles in 2001. He had two children from a marriage of 64 years and in 2004 his son Hawk Koch was elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences's Board of Governors.