Alan Ladd Jr.

Alan Ladd Jr.
Born Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr.
(1937-10-22) October 22, 1937
Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality American
Occupation Film producer
Years active 1963–present
Spouse(s) Patricia Ann (1959–1983)
Cindra Ladd (1985–present)
Children Kelliann Ladd
Tracy Ladd
Amanda Ladd
Chelsea Ladd
Alan Ladd III
Parent(s) Alan Ladd
Marjorie Jane Harrold
Relatives David Ladd (half-brother)

Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr. (born October 22, 1937) is an American film industry executive and producer. He is the son of actor Alan Ladd and Ladd's first wife Marjorie Jane (née Harrold), whom Ladd had met in high school.

He started in films as an agent in 1963. In 1969, Ladd moved to London to produce, making nine films, including The Walking Stick, A Severed Head, Villain, The Nightcomers, and X Y & Zee. He returned to the States in 1973 to become Head of Creative Affairs at 20th Century Fox. In August 1976, he was promoted from worldwide production head to president of Fox's film division.[1]

He came to Fox President Gordon Stulberg to request consideration for making George Lucas' Star Wars. Stulberg approved the production and they remained as Lucas' support at times when the Board of Directors of 20th Century Fox wished to shut down production. The production was plagued by location difficulties, story problems and budgetary disagreements for a project that was mainly considered a pending embarrassment before the studio likely closed. However, when Ladd saw first hand the audience's rapturous appreciation of the film at its first public screening at the Northpoint Theatre in San Francisco in early May 1977, he was moved to tears at seeing the unlikely production he and Stulberg had supported against all odds become a validation of their efforts.[2]

Star Wars and Alien were a few of the films produced during his tenure. But in 1979 Ladd left his position to found his own production company, The Ladd Company. He enjoyed successes with comedies such as Night Shift and Police Academy, Oscar Winners The Right Stuff, Chariots of Fire, and Gone Baby Gone. The company also produced Blade Runner.

In 1985, Ladd joined MGM/UA, eventually becoming Chairman and CEO of MGM-Pathé Communications. During his tenure MGM/UA produced A Fish Called Wanda, Moonstruck and Thelma & Louise. Ladd reformed the Ladd Company with Paramount Pictures in 1993 where he produced The Brady Bunch Movie and Braveheart.

Ladd received the 2,348th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, September 28, 2007.

References

  1. ↑ Daily Variety. August 27, 1976. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Jenkins, Garry (1997). Empire Building. Simon and Scuster. p. 166.


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