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{{Short description|American businessman}}
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Thanks, the members of WikiProject Chicago.-->
Thanks, the members of WikiProject Chicago.-->
{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox person
| name = Jerrold Wexler
| name = Jerrold Wexler
| image =
| image =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|6|27}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|6|27}}
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|11|10|1924|6|27}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|11|10|1924|6|27}}
| death_place = [[Palo Alto, California]]
| death_place = [[Palo Alto, California]], U.S.
⚫
| education = [[Northwestern University]] <small>([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])</small>
| occupation = [[Businessman]]
| occupation = Businessman
| networth =
| networth =
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| spouse = Lolly Lurie (1946-1968; divorced; 4 children)<br> Susan Jeanne Metzger (1969-1992; his death; 1 child)
* {{marriage|Lolly Lurie|1946|1968|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Susan Jeanne Metzger<br/>|1969}}
⚫
}}
| children = 5; including [[Tanya Wexler|Tanya]]
| relatives = [[Haskell Wexler]] (brother)<br/>[[Jeff Wexler]] (nephew)<br/>[[Mark Wexler]] (nephew)
| website =
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| children = ''with Lurie:''<br> --Susan Wexler Piser<br> --Jane Wexler Feil<br> --Diane Wexler Grant<br> --Judith Wexler Gigliotti<br> ''with Metzger:''<br> --[[Tanya Wexler]]<br> ''3 stepchildren:''<br> --[[Daryl Hannah]]<br> --Donald Hannah<br> --[[Page Hannah|Page Hannah Adler]]<ref name=HeirSplit />
⚫
| education = B.A. [[Northwestern University]]
}}
}}

'''Jerrold Wexler''' (June 27, 1924 - November 10, 1992) was a noted [[United States|American]] businessman. He was the brother of cinematographer [[Haskell Wexler]] and the stepfather of actress [[Daryl Hannah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lycos.com/info/daryl-hannah--jerrold-wexler.html|title=Daryl Hannah: Jerrold Wexler|publisher=Lycos Inc.|accessdate=2007-11-07|year=2007}}</ref>
'''Jerrold Wexler''' (June 27, 1924 – November 10, 1992) was a noted American businessman and film producer. He was the brother of cinematographer [[Haskell Wexler]] and the stepfather of actress [[Daryl Hannah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lycos.com/info/daryl-hannah--jerrold-wexler.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070707024634/http://www.lycos.com/info/daryl-hannah--jerrold-wexler.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2007 |title=Daryl Hannah: Jerrold Wexler |publisher=Lycos Inc. |access-date=November 7, 2007 |year=2007 }}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Wexler was born to a [[American Jews|Jewish]] family<ref> Cutler, Irving [http://books.google.com/books?id=85k85NhemBgC&pg=PA177&lpg=PA177&dq=Jerrold+Wexler+jewish&source=bl&ots=OwTAZ4PDtg&sig=YXzmWsAXEvbPJd-ueKVvclxUBts&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gm35UuDKFMXI0wHJkYGgBA&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=Jerrold%20Wexler&f=false ''The Jews of Chicago: From Shtetl to Suburb''] p. 177</ref> in [[Chicago]], the son of Lottie and Simon Wexler, and attended [[Northwestern University]].<ref name="Lambert">{{cite news | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260 | title = Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire | author = Bruce Lambert | date = November 12, 1992 | publisher = [[The New York Times]] | accessdate = 2007-11-12 }}</ref> His father founded the [[Allied Electronics|Allied Radio Corporation]] in 1928. Allied Radio was an American radio manufacturer and retailer, which sold radio sets, tubes, capacitors, amateur radio equipment, citizen’s band (CB) radios, and consumer audio systems through retail stores and mail-order starting in 1962.<ref name=Vintage>http://www.vintage-amplifier.com/knight-allied-radio-corporation-chicago-illinois-usa/ Vintage Amplifiers Collectors Magazine: "Knight | Allied Radio Corporation | Chicago Illinois"] retrieved April 25, 2015</ref> In 1970, it was purchased by the [[Tandy Corporation]], [[Radio Shack]]’s parent company.<ref name=Vintage /> His brother is cinematographer, film producer, and director [[Haskell Wexler]].
Wexler was born to a [[American Jews|Jewish]] family<ref>Cutler, Irving [https://books.google.com/books?id=85k85NhemBgC&pg=PA177 ''The Jews of Chicago: From Shtetl to Suburb''] p. 177</ref> in [[Chicago]], the son of Lottie and Simon Wexler, and attended [[Northwestern University]].<ref name="Lambert">{{cite news | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260 | title = Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire | author = Bruce Lambert | date = November 12, 1992 | work = [[The New York Times]] | access-date = November 12, 2007 }}</ref> His father founded the Columbia Radio Corporation in 1921<ref name=RadioMuseum>[http://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?company_id=1865 Radio Museum: "History of the radio manufacturer: Allied Radio Corp. (Knight, Roamer, Wextark); Chicago (IL)"] retrieved April 25, 2015</ref> and the [[Allied Electronics|Allied Radio Corporation]] in 1928. Allied Radio was an American radio manufacturer and retailer, which sold radio sets, tubes, capacitors, amateur radio equipment, citizen's band (CB) radios, and consumer audio systems through retail stores and beginning in 1962, also via mail-order.<ref name=Vintage>[http://www.vintage-amplifier.com/knight-allied-radio-corporation-chicago-illinois-usa/ Vintage Amplifiers Collectors Magazine: "Knight {{!}} Allied Radio Corporation {{!}} Chicago Illinois"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929010556/http://www.vintage-amplifier.com/knight-allied-radio-corporation-chicago-illinois-usa/ |date=September 29, 2015 }} retrieved April 25, 2015</ref> In 1970, Allied Radio was purchased by the [[Tandy Corporation]], the parent company of [[Radio Shack]].<ref name=Vintage /> His brother was cinematographer, film producer, and director [[Haskell Wexler]].


==Business ventures==
==Business ventures==
By his early '30s, he was building a reputation for financing monumental [[skyscrapers]]. With his father's help, he brokered the construction of the Executive Plaza Hotel on [[Wacker Drive]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809078,00.html|title=Business and Technology section|publisher=Time Inc.|work=Time Magazine|accessdate=2007-11-08|date=1957-02-11}}</ref> (now known as Hotel 71).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hotel71-chicago-il-usa | title = Hotel 71, Chicago | publisher = [[Emporis]] | accessdate = 2007-11-12 }}</ref>
By his early 30s, he was building a reputation for financing monumental [[skyscrapers]], including [[400 East Randolph]] a luxury apartment building in Chicago's Loop. With his father's help, he brokered the construction of the Executive Plaza Hotel on [[Wacker Drive]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809078,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911225357/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809078,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2005|title=Business and Technology section|publisher=Time Inc.|work=Time Magazine|access-date=November 8, 2007|date=February 11, 1957}}</ref> (now known as Hotel 71).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hotel71-chicago-il-usa | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070223122959/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hotel71-chicago-il-usa | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 23, 2007 | title = Hotel 71, Chicago | publisher = [[Emporis]] | access-date = November 12, 2007 }}</ref>


In 1979 he, along with his business partner Edward W. Ross, purchased the [[Drake Hotel (Chicago)|Drake Hotel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedrakehotel.com/pdf/press_kit.pdf|accessdate=2007-11-07|publisher=thedrakehotel.com|title=Press Kit 2007}}</ref> The Drake was successfully nominated for the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980. In 1983, Wexler’s [[Jupiter Industries]], which had interests in the [[Playboy Building]], [[Lake Point Tower]], [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] real estate, dozens of Chicago hotels, and property holdings in both [[New York City]] and [[Los Angeles]], saved [[Goldblatt's]] from bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/JG-Industries-Inc-Company-History.html|title=JG Industries, Inc.|accessdate=2007-11-07|publisher=fundinguniverse.com}}</ref> Jupiter also developed the Vista International Hotel at the [[World Trade Center]], later known as the [[Marriott World Trade Center]], which was destroyed in the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].<ref name="Lambert"/> He was known for pioneering new development areas; the Executive Plaza was the first hotel in Chicago in decades, and the Vista was the first hotel in downtown Manhattan for decades. He also built the [[Outer Drive East]] development in Chicago, which expanded the downtown into an industrial and shipping area in decline.<ref name="Lambert"/>
In 1979 he, along with his business partner Edward W. Ross, purchased the [[Drake Hotel (Chicago)|Drake Hotel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedrakehotel.com/pdf/press_kit.pdf |access-date=November 7, 2007 |publisher=thedrakehotel.com |title=Press Kit 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113021214/http://www.thedrakehotel.com/pdf/press_kit.pdf |archive-date=November 13, 2006 }}</ref> The Drake was successfully nominated for the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980. In 1983, Wexler's Jupiter Industries, which had interests in the [[Playboy Building]], [[Lake Point Tower]], [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] real estate, dozens of Chicago hotels, and property holdings in both [[New York City]] and [[Los Angeles]], saved [[Goldblatt's]] from bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/JG-Industries-Inc-Company-History.html|title=JG Industries, Inc.|access-date=November 7, 2007|publisher=fundinguniverse.com}}</ref> Jupiter also developed the Vista International Hotel at the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], later known as the [[Marriott World Trade Center]], which was destroyed in the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].<ref name="Lambert"/> He was known for pioneering new development areas; the Executive Plaza was the first hotel in Chicago in decades, and the Vista was the first hotel in downtown Manhattan for decades. He also built the [[Outer Drive East]] development in Chicago, which expanded the downtown into an industrial and shipping area in decline.<ref name="Lambert"/>


When [[Bertram Lee]] failed to come up with his ten percent share to purchase the [[National Basketball Association]] [[Denver Nuggets]] in 1989, [[Peter Bynoe]] recruited Jerrold Wexler and [[Jay Pritzker]] to keep the deal alive. The group held an interest in the team until 1992 when [[COMSAT]] bought out [[Drexel Burnham Lambert]], Bynoe and his partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Denver-Nuggets-Company-History.html|title=Denver Nuggets|accessdate=2007-11-07|publisher=fundinguniverse.com}}</ref> In addition to his business interests, he was a very active political contributor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=60611&last=WEXLER&first=JERROLD|title=CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION SEARCH (individual donations of $200 or more since 1978): JERROLD WEXLER » IL » 60611|accessdate=2007-11-08}}</ref> In addition, he served on the board of trustees of the John Austin Cheley Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheleyfoundation.org/boardof.htm|accessdate=2007-11-09|date=2007-10-01|title=Organization|publisher=John Austin Cheley Foundation |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070607150505/http://www.cheleyfoundation.org/boardof.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-06-07}}</ref>
When Bertram Lee failed to come up with his ten percent share to purchase the [[National Basketball Association]] [[Denver Nuggets]] in 1989, [[Peter Bynoe]] recruited Jerrold Wexler and [[Jay Pritzker]] to keep the deal alive. The group held an interest in the team until 1992 when [[COMSAT]] bought out [[Drexel Burnham Lambert]], Bynoe and his partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Denver-Nuggets-Company-History.html|title=Denver Nuggets|access-date=November 7, 2007|publisher=fundinguniverse.com}}</ref> In addition to his business interests, he was a very active political contributor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=60611&last=WEXLER&first=JERROLD |title=CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION SEARCH (individual donations of $200 or more since 1978): JERROLD WEXLER » IL » 60611 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604073302/http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=60611&last=WEXLER&first=JERROLD |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}</ref> In addition, he served on the board of trustees of the John Austin Cheley Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheleyfoundation.org/boardof.htm|access-date=November 9, 2007|date=October 1, 2007|title=Organization|publisher=John Austin Cheley Foundation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607150505/http://www.cheleyfoundation.org/boardof.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = June 7, 2007}}</ref>


==Personal life, death, and legacy==
==Personal life==
Wexler has been married twice. In 1946, he married Lolly Lurie; they had four children: Susan Wexler Piser; Jane Wexler Feil; Diane Wexler Grant; and Judith Wexler Gigliotti. They divorced in 1968.{{fact|date=February 2014}} In 1960, he married Susan Jeanne Metzger with whom he had one child: film director [[Tanya Wexler]].<ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-24/entertainment/ct-mov-0525-chicago-closeup-20120525_1_filmmaker-coincidence-romantic-comedy Chicago Tribune: "Filmmaker and Lincoln Park native Tanya Wexler on her romantic comedy 'Hysteria'" by Nina Metz] May 24, 2012</ref><ref name=HeirSplit>[http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19970322/ISSUE01/10005360/heir-splitting# Crain's Chicago Business: "HEIR-SPLITTING" By Betsy Wangensteen] March 24, 1997</ref> He has three stepchildren from his marriage to Metzger: actress [[Daryl Hannah]], Donald Hannah, and actress [[Page Hannah|Page Hannah Adler]].<ref name=HeirSplit>[http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19970322/ISSUE01/10005360/heir-splitting# Crain's Chicago Business: "HEIR-SPLITTING" By Betsy Wangensteen] March 24, 1997</ref><ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-03-29/business/9603290076_1_new-directors-suit-edward-ross Chicago Tribune: "Jerrold Wexler Partner Sues In Wake Of Ouster - Jupiter Coup Spawns A Bitter Asset Battle" By J. Linn Allen] March 29, 1996</ref>
In 1946, Wexler married Lolly Lurie; they had four children: Susan Wexler Piser; Jane Wexler Feil; Diane Wexler Grant; and Judith Wexler Gigliotti.<ref name=HeirSplit /> They divorced in 1968.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} In 1969, he married Susan Jeanne Metzger, with whom he had one child: film director [[Tanya Wexler]].<ref name=HeirSplit>[http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19970322/ISSUE01/10005360/heir-splitting# Crain's Chicago Business: "HEIR-SPLITTING" By Betsy Wangensteen] March 24, 1997</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120527010048/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-24/entertainment/ct-mov-0525-chicago-closeup-20120525_1_filmmaker-coincidence-romantic-comedy Chicago Tribune: "Filmmaker and Lincoln Park native Tanya Wexler on her romantic comedy 'Hysteria'" by Nina Metz] May 24, 2012</ref> He has three stepchildren from his marriage to Metzger: actress [[Daryl Hannah]], Donald Hannah, and actress [[Page Hannah|Page Hannah Adler]].<ref name="HeirSplit"/><ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/03/29/jerrold-wexler-partner-sues-in-wake-of-ouster/ Chicago Tribune: "Jerrold Wexler Partner Sues In Wake Of Ouster - Jupiter Coup Spawns A Bitter Asset Battle" By J. Linn Allen] March 29, 1996</ref>
⚫
In November 1992, Wexler died of [[lymphoma]] at the [[Stanford Hospital]] in [[Palo Alto]], [[California|CA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260|accessdate=2007-11-07|date=1992-11-12|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=New York Times|author=Lambert, Bruce|title=Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire}}</ref> In 1993, he was inducted posthumously into the Chicago Association of REALTORS Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagorealtor.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=223|accessdate=2007-11-09|title=Hall of Fame Chicago Association of REALTORS |publisher=Chicago Association of REALTORS}}</ref>


==Death and legacy==
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His estate continued to sell off his business interests for several years after his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/facilities-commercial-real-estate/4421661-1.html|accessdate=2007-11-09|title=Capri Capital Buys Washington Capital|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|date=1999-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n7_v25/ai_16552943|title=Active transport: king of the road, deal makes AT the largest black-owned vehicle transport company - Active Transportation Inc. acquires Jupiter Transportations Systems Inc|publisher=FindArticles|work=Black Enterprise|date=February 1995|author=Lloyd, Fonda Marie|accessdate=2007-11-09}}</ref>
⚫
In November 1992, Wexler died of [[lymphoma]] at the [[Stanford Hospital]] in [[Palo Alto]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260|access-date=November 7, 2007|date=November 12, 1992|work=New York Times|author=Lambert, Bruce|title=Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire}}</ref> In 1993, he was inducted posthumously into the Chicago Association of REALTORS Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagorealtor.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=223 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |title=Hall of Fame Chicago Association of REALTORS |publisher=Chicago Association of REALTORS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820154601/http://www.chicagorealtor.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=223 |archive-date=August 20, 2007 }}</ref>


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His estate continued to sell off his business interests for several years after his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/facilities-commercial-real-estate/4421661-1.html|access-date=November 9, 2007|title=Capri Capital Buys Washington Capital|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|date=March 16, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n7_v25/ai_16552943 |title=Active transport: king of the road, deal makes AT the largest black-owned vehicle transport company - Active Transportation Inc. acquires Jupiter Transportations Systems Inc |publisher=FindArticles |work=Black Enterprise |date=February 1995 |author=Lloyd, Fonda Marie |access-date=November 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012144302/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n7_v25/ai_16552943 |archive-date=October 12, 2008 }}</ref>
⚫
In 2003, the [[United States]] [[National Film Preservation Board]] added the [[1969 in film|1969]] film ''[[Medium Cool]]'', co-produced by Jerrold and Haskell Wexler, to the [[National Film Registry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2003.html|title=National Film Registry 2003|publisher=Library of Congress|accessdate=2007-11-08|date=2003-12-16}}</ref>

⚫
In 2003, the [[United States]] [[National Film Preservation Board]] added the 1969 film ''[[Medium Cool]]'', co-produced by Jerrold and Haskell Wexler, to the [[National Film Registry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2003.html|title=National Film Registry 2003|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=November 8, 2007|date=December 16, 2003}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.emporis.com/en/cd/cm/?id=jerroldwexler-chicago-il-usa Jerrold Wexler] at [http://www.emporis.com Emporis.com]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070227210304/http://www.emporis.com/en/cd/cm/?id=jerroldwexler-chicago-il-usa Jerrold Wexler]}} at {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010404074800/http://www.emporis.com/ Emporis.com]}}
*{{IMDb name|0923309}}
*{{IMDb name|0923309}}
*[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260 New York Times obituary]
*[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB143FF931A25752C1A964958260 New York Times obituary]


{{Chicago}}
{{Chicago}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Wexler, Jerrold
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American businessman
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1924-06-27
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Chicago, Illinois
| DATE OF DEATH = 1992-11-10
| PLACE OF DEATH = Palo Alto, California
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wexler, Jerrold}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wexler, Jerrold}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:American real estate businesspeople]]
[[Category:American businesspeople in real estate]]
[[Category:American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Cancer deaths in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lymphoma in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lymphoma]]
[[Category:Northwestern University alumni]]
[[Category:Northwestern University alumni]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Chicago, Illinois]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Chicago]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]

Latest revision as of 01:17, 11 September 2024

Jerrold Wexler
Born(1924-06-27)June 27, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 1992(1992-11-10) (aged 68)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
OccupationBusinessman
Spouses
Lolly Lurie
​
​
(m. 1946; div. 1968)​
Susan Jeanne Metzger
​
​
(m. 1969)​
Children5; including Tanya
RelativesHaskell Wexler (brother)
Jeff Wexler (nephew)
Mark Wexler (nephew)

Jerrold Wexler (June 27, 1924 – November 10, 1992) was a noted American businessman and film producer. He was the brother of cinematographer Haskell Wexler and the stepfather of actress Daryl Hannah.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Wexler was born to a Jewish family[2] in Chicago, the son of Lottie and Simon Wexler, and attended Northwestern University.[3] His father founded the Columbia Radio Corporation in 1921[4] and the Allied Radio Corporation in 1928. Allied Radio was an American radio manufacturer and retailer, which sold radio sets, tubes, capacitors, amateur radio equipment, citizen's band (CB) radios, and consumer audio systems through retail stores and beginning in 1962, also via mail-order.[5] In 1970, Allied Radio was purchased by the Tandy Corporation, the parent company of Radio Shack.[5] His brother was cinematographer, film producer, and director Haskell Wexler.

Business ventures

[edit]

By his early 30s, he was building a reputation for financing monumental skyscrapers, including 400 East Randolph a luxury apartment building in Chicago's Loop. With his father's help, he brokered the construction of the Executive Plaza Hotel on Wacker Drive[6] (now known as Hotel 71).[7]

In 1979 he, along with his business partner Edward W. Ross, purchased the Drake Hotel.[8] The Drake was successfully nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 1983, Wexler's Jupiter Industries, which had interests in the Playboy Building, Lake Point Tower, Michigan Avenue real estate, dozens of Chicago hotels, and property holdings in both New York City and Los Angeles, saved Goldblatt's from bankruptcy.[9] Jupiter also developed the Vista International Hotel at the World Trade Center, later known as the Marriott World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.[3] He was known for pioneering new development areas; the Executive Plaza was the first hotel in Chicago in decades, and the Vista was the first hotel in downtown Manhattan for decades. He also built the Outer Drive East development in Chicago, which expanded the downtown into an industrial and shipping area in decline.[3]

When Bertram Lee failed to come up with his ten percent share to purchase the National Basketball Association Denver Nuggets in 1989, Peter Bynoe recruited Jerrold Wexler and Jay Pritzker to keep the deal alive. The group held an interest in the team until 1992 when COMSAT bought out Drexel Burnham Lambert, Bynoe and his partners.[10] In addition to his business interests, he was a very active political contributor.[11] In addition, he served on the board of trustees of the John Austin Cheley Foundation.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1946, Wexler married Lolly Lurie; they had four children: Susan Wexler Piser; Jane Wexler Feil; Diane Wexler Grant; and Judith Wexler Gigliotti.[13] They divorced in 1968.[citation needed] In 1969, he married Susan Jeanne Metzger, with whom he had one child: film director Tanya Wexler.[13][14] He has three stepchildren from his marriage to Metzger: actress Daryl Hannah, Donald Hannah, and actress Page Hannah Adler.[13][15]

Death and legacy

[edit]

In November 1992, Wexler died of lymphoma at the Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California.[16] In 1993, he was inducted posthumously into the Chicago Association of REALTORS Hall of Fame.[17]

His estate continued to sell off his business interests for several years after his death.[18][19]

In 2003, the United States National Film Preservation Board added the 1969 film Medium Cool, co-produced by Jerrold and Haskell Wexler, to the National Film Registry.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Daryl Hannah: Jerrold Wexler". Lycos Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  2. ^ Cutler, Irving The Jews of Chicago: From Shtetl to Suburb p. 177
  3. ^ a b c Bruce Lambert (November 12, 1992). "Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
  4. ^ Radio Museum: "History of the radio manufacturer: Allied Radio Corp. (Knight, Roamer, Wextark); Chicago (IL)" retrieved April 25, 2015
  5. ^ a b Vintage Amplifiers Collectors Magazine: "Knight | Allied Radio Corporation | Chicago Illinois" Archived September 29, 2015, at the Wayback Machine retrieved April 25, 2015
  6. ^ "Business and Technology section". Time Magazine. Time Inc. February 11, 1957. Archived from the original on September 11, 2005. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  7. ^ "Hotel 71, Chicago". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Press Kit 2007" (PDF). thedrakehotel.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  9. ^ "JG Industries, Inc". fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  10. ^ "Denver Nuggets". fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  11. ^ "CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION SEARCH (individual donations of $200 or more since 1978): JERROLD WEXLER » IL » 60611". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  12. ^ "Organization". John Austin Cheley Foundation. October 1, 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  13. ^ a b c Crain's Chicago Business: "HEIR-SPLITTING" By Betsy Wangensteen March 24, 1997
  14. ^ Chicago Tribune: "Filmmaker and Lincoln Park native Tanya Wexler on her romantic comedy 'Hysteria'" by Nina Metz May 24, 2012
  15. ^ Chicago Tribune: "Jerrold Wexler Partner Sues In Wake Of Ouster - Jupiter Coup Spawns A Bitter Asset Battle" By J. Linn Allen March 29, 1996
  16. ^ Lambert, Bruce (November 12, 1992). "Jerrold Wexler, 68; Chicago Developer Who Built Empire". New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  17. ^ "Hall of Fame Chicago Association of REALTORS". Chicago Association of REALTORS. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  18. ^ "Capri Capital Buys Washington Capital". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 16, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  19. ^ Lloyd, Fonda Marie (February 1995). "Active transport: king of the road, deal makes AT the largest black-owned vehicle transport company - Active Transportation Inc. acquires Jupiter Transportations Systems Inc". Black Enterprise. FindArticles. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  20. ^ "National Film Registry 2003". Library of Congress. December 16, 2003. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
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