David Picker Dies At The Age Of 87
David V. Picker AKA David Picker Died At The Age Of 87 After Suffering From Colon Cancer.
- David Picker died on 20th April, Saturday.
- David died at his New York home.
- David was only 87 years old.
- David died of colon cancer.
- David was active in the field for over half-century.
David Picker, who had served as the head of United Artists, Columbia, and Paramount over a half-century in the film business, died on 20th April, Saturday at his home in New York. He died of colon cancer at the age of 87.
Picker, who was born on May 14, 1931, was involved in the music business. His grandfather, David V. Picker, ran a small chain of theaters which he eventually sold to Loews. His father then worked booking theaters which helped him to see movies for free in any theater in the Big Apple.
Most importantly, Picker’s uncle, Arnold Picker, was a partner and executive VP international distribution in 1951 at UA. In the same year, Arthur B. Krim and Robert Benjamin rose the old studio from dead by bankrolling independent filmmakers.
After graduating from Dartmouth College and serving in the United States Army, he got a job at UA in the advertising and publicity department. Two years later, he began working as an a s sistant to the head of the production, Max Youngstein. When Max left the company, Picker elevated to his position in 1962.
Tony Richardson’s Tom Jones was the first movie Picker recommended to UA’s partners which became a super hit and was even awarded the best picture Oscar becoming the only second non-American movie to earn that high honor.
At just the age of 38 in 1966, Picker was made the president and COO of UA including Richard Zanuck, Jay Kanter, and Robert Evans.