Jack Fincher (screenwriter)
Howard Kelly "Jack" Fincher (December 6, 1930 — April 10, 2003) was an American screenwriter and journalist who had written for various magazines and periodicals, notably serving as a chief editor of Life magazine. He was the father of film director David Fincher.
Jack Fincher | |
---|---|
Born | Howard Kelly Fincher December 6, 1930 |
Died | April 10, 2003 72) Los Angeles, California | (aged
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Journalist, screenwriter |
Spouse(s) | Claire Boettcher (m. 1960) |
Children | David |
Relatives | Ceán Chaffin (daughter-in-law) |
Biography
Fincher was born in Bonham, Texas, the son of Merlin Jackson "Jack" Fincher and Grace Mae Hutcheson,[1][2] and was raised in Oklahoma.[3] After graduating from high school in 1949, Fincher spent two years attending the University of Tulsa, also writing for the Tulsa World. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force.[4] In 1960, he married Claire Mae Boettcher,[5] a mental health nurse from South Dakota who worked in drug addiction programs; their son is acclaimed film director David Fincher. In 1964, when David was two, the family moved from Denver, Colorado to San Anselmo, California, where filmmaker George Lucas was one of their neighbors.[6]
Fincher once wrote a Howard Hughes biopic before it was decided to go with John Logan's script for The Aviator instead. He also wrote The Brain Mystery of Matter and Mind (The Human Body) (Torstar Books Inc.)[7][4] He wrote the screenplay for Mank, a biographical film about Herman J. Mankiewicz. Originally set to be filmed in the late-90s, the script went un-producer until his son David began filming in 2019. It is expected to be released by Netflix in 2020.[8]
Jack Fincher died in Los Angeles on April 10, 2003 at the age of 72, following a year-long battle with cancer.[4][9]
References
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997
- 1940 United States Federal Census
- "GenLookups.com". GenLookups.com. Archives. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
- California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985
- Rebello, Stephen (September 16, 2014). "Playboy Interview: David Fincher". Playboy. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- Shprintz, Janet. "Evan Sues Over Hughes Pic." Variety. February 28, 2001.
- Fleming Jr., Mike (July 10, 2019). "David Fincher, Gary Oldman Team On B&W 'Mank' At Netflix; Film On 'Citizen Kane' Writer Herman J. Mankiewicz Scripted By Fincher's Late Father Howard". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- Swallow, James (2003). "Dark and Light". Dark Eye: The Films of David Fincher. Reynolds & Hearn. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-903111-52-9.