Eric Pleskow

Eric Pleskow (born Erich Pleskoff; April 24, 1924 – October 1, 2019) was an Austrian-born American film producer and executive. From 1973 through 1978, Pleskow was president of United Artists. Following a protest from Transamerica Corporation, Pleskow co-founded and later ran Orion Pictures in 1978 through 1991. In his later career, he served as president of the Vienna International Film Festival from 1998 until his death.

Eric Pleskow
Eric Pleskow at Viennale 2015
Born
Erich Pleskoff

(1924-04-24)April 24, 1924
Vienna, Austria
DiedOctober 1, 2019(2019-10-01) (aged 95)
Westport, Connecticut, U.S.
OccupationFilm producer, executive
Known forPresident of United Artists and Orion Pictures

Early life

Born Erich Pleskoff in Vienna, he was the son of Jewish merchants.[1][2] After the Anschluss and the following Aryanization of their apartment, the family emigrated to the United States in 1938.[3]

In 1943, he was conscripted into the United States Army.[4] After World War II, Pleskow returned to Austria and guided five interrogations during denazifications.[5]

Career
Pleskow at the 2012 Viennale

Due to his brief education in film editing, which he finished before joining the army, he became film officer for the United States War Department in 1945.[6] He was assigned to rebuild the Bavaria Film Studios in Munich, Germany.[7]

In 1951, he went to work for United Artists as a foreign department executive in their New York City office and moved to South Africa (1952) and Germany (1953-8) before becoming continental manager in Paris (1958-62).[8][9] In 1962, Pleskow traveled back to New York City as vice president of international distribution.[9] On January 1, 1973 he was made chief operating officer, taking over from David V. Picker who became chief executive officer[10] but soon became the president and CEO after Picker left UA that year.[9][5] Under his presidency at United Artists, the company won the Academy Award for Best Picture three years in a row: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Rocky (1976) and Annie Hall (1977).[5][11]

In 1978, Pleskow along with many executives from United Artists, formed Orion Pictures as a protest due to the constant interference from parent company Transamerica Corporation in the running of United Artists.[9] He was a key figure in establishing $100 million in financing for Orion, including distribution through Warner Bros..[9] He was named president and CEO, a post he held until 1991.[12] He became chairman but resigned July 1, 1992.[8] Their greatest successes under his management were Amadeus (1984), Platoon (1986), Dances with Wolves (1990) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991) which all won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[9] He also greenlit Little Man Tate (1990) and The Addams Family.[8]

In 1998, Pleskow became president of the Vienna International Film Festival.[12] In February 2007, he was awarded honorary citizenship of Vienna.[12]

During his career, Pleskow was involved in the production of fourteen best-picture Oscar winners.[13]

Death

Pleskow died on October 1, 2019, in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 95.[14]

Bibliography
  • Andrea Ernst: Eric Pleskow. Ein Leben für den Film. Picus Verlag, Wien 2008, ISBN 978-3-85452-632-2.
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References
  1. Erens, Patricia (1998). The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6.
  2. "Austrian-born Hollywood Producer Eric Pleskow Dies at 95". Newsmax. October 1, 2019.
  3. "From Vienna to Hollywood: Eric Pleskow" (PDF). Jewish Historical Society of Farfield County. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  4. "Eric Pleskow, Former Head of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". The Wrap. October 1, 2019.
  5. "Eric Pleskow, Former Head of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". Yahoo. October 1, 2019.
  6. "Eric Pleskow Dies: Ex-President Of United Artists & Orion Pictures Was 95". Deadline. October 1, 2019.
  7. "ERIC PLESKOW (1924-2019)". Viennale. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  8. "Orion's Pleskow Bids Adieu". Daily Variety. May 21, 1992. p. 1.
  9. Natale, Richard (October 1, 2019). "Eric Pleskow, Exec at United Artists, Orion Involved With Best Picture Winners, Dies at 95". Variety.
  10. "Picker's Exex at UA; Pleskow Top; Senior Veepcy Velde, Chaseman, Goldberg, Bernstein, And Bos". Variety. December 6, 1972. p. 3.
  11. "Austrian-Born Hollywood Producer Eric Pleskow Dies at 95". The New York Times. October 1, 2019.
  12. "Hollywood tycoon Eric Pleskow dies at 95". The Japan Times. October 1, 2019.
  13. "14 Oscars won: Film producer Eric Pleskow is dead". MSN. October 1, 2019.
  14. Barnes, Mark (October 1, 2019). "Eric Pleskow, Former President of United Artists and Orion Pictures, Dies at 95". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
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