Irving Fein

Irving Fein

Irving Fein (born June 21, 1911) is an American television and film producer and was the longtime manager of entertainers Jack Benny and George Burns.

Biography

Early life

Irving Fein was born on June 21, 1911 in Brooklyn, New York to Harry Fein, a builder, and his wife Fannie. An exceptional student, Irving skipped three grade levels before graduating grade school at just twelve years old. After graduating from Erasmus Hall High School, he went on to attend the University of Baltimore before transfering to the Alexander Meiklejohn Experimental College at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was during the summer months when Irving attended several camps that he became interested in dramatics and writing.

Career

After writing several short stories, Irving was hired to work in the publicity and advertising department for Warner Brothers in New York City. At the same time, Irving attended Brooklyn Law School in the evening and eventually earned his law degree. He turned down an offer to work in the legal department at Warner Brothers and instead moved to their California office where he began in the mail room and soon joined their publicity department making thirty five dollars a week. Less than a year after moving to California, Irving received an offer to join the publicity department at Columbia Pictures. He accepted and his salary jumped to one hundred fifty dollars a week. During his career as a publicist he worked for Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures and Goldwyn Studios.

Jack Benny

In 1947, Irving began his twenty eight year association with Jack Benny when he was hired as Benny's publicity and advertising director. From 1936 to 1940, Benny's radio show had been number one, but soon dropped to number four with Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, and the Lux Radio Theatre gaining publicity. Six months after Irving joined Benny, his show was back at number one. Over the next nine years Irving became Jack's manager and producer, as well as doing all of the P.R.. During the many years of their long association, Irving kept Jack Benny a number one star on TV, in personal appearances, and in the concert world performing with the most famous symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Europe.

In 1956, William Paley wooed Irving away from Jack, naming him a vice president at CBS and moving him and his family to New York City. However, Jack Benny did not want to get along without Irving and in less than a year Irving came back to Hollywood as President of J&M Productions, Jack Benny's company. Along with all of the Jack Benny shows, J&M produced the popular television series "Checkmate".

George Burns

Near the end of Jack's life, Irving had become helpful to George Burns. After the death of Gracie Allen, George struggled as a single act. Irving became George's manager and producer and turned his career around. George's star turn in The Sunshine Boys, a role which Irving was instrumental in getting him, earned George an Oscar. That was the start of another long personal and business relationship, which lasted twenty two years until George Burns died.

Awards and Achievements

During Irving's long and distinguished career he earned many awards including an Emmy for one of the Jack Benny television shows he produced. He also authored several books, including the best seller; "Jack Benny: An Intimate Biography". In film Irving Fein Produced or Co-Produced several George Burns films.

Personal Life

Irving was first married to Florence Kohn with whom he had two children, Tisha Fein, a Television Producer and Michael Fein, a doctor. Michael and his wife Beni gave Irving three granddaughters, Tasha, Noelle and Nicole, and two great granddaughters, Chloe and Alexa. He married Marion Schechter in 1969 and has a stepson, Dan Schechter. Irving and Marion live happily in West Hollywood and are still active in the Hollywood show business community.