Matthew M. Fox (February 4, 1911 – June 2, 1964) was an American film and television executive.
Matthew M. Fox | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1911 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 1964 (aged 53) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Spouse | Yolande Betbeze (1954–1964; his death) |
| Children | Yolande Dolly Fox |
| Relatives | Paris Campbell Grace (granddaughter) |
Early life
editFox was born on February 4, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin.[1] In his youth, he worked as an usher and doorman at the Rialto Theater in Racine.[1][2]
Career
editFox moved to Hollywood, California and became the executive vice president of Universal Pictures and board chairman of United World Films.[1] In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he left his role as vice president of Universal Pictures to serve the United States government.[2] Fox joined the War Production Planning Commission and took charge of collecting scrap metal, old tires, and other discarded materials needed by defense industries.[2] Fox later enlisted in the United States Army as a private and, by the end of World War II, was promoted to the rank of major.[2]
Fox went back into business and was president of Skiatron of America, a company that introduced pay television in the United States.[1] In 1948, Fox formed the international trade organization American-Indonesian Corporation. His company was terminated by the Indonesian government the following year, after Dutch rule ended, and he received a settlement of $550,000.[1] Because of his role in Indonesian trade, he was nicknamed the "economic godfather of Indonesia".[2]
At the time of his death in 1964, Fox was serving as board chairman of TV Productions, a subsidiary of Subscription Television, Inc., and president of Motion Pictures for Television, Inc.[2]
Personal life
editIn 1954, Fox married Yolande Betbeze, an opera singer and Miss America 1951.[3] They had one daughter, Yolande "Dolly" Fox.[4]
On June 2, 1964, Fox died from a heart attack at his Park Avenue home.[2] A funeral service was held on June 3, 1964, at Riverside Memorial Chapel on the Upper West Side.[2] A graveside service conducted by Rabbi Hyman Cohen of Beth-Israel Sinai Temple was held on June 4, 1964, in Racine.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Pay-TV Magnate Found Dead; Worked As Racine Theater Usher". The Journal Times. Racine, Wisconsin. June 3, 1964. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Matthew M. Fox, an Executive In Movies and TV, Dead at 53; Vice President of Universal at 25, He Was 'Economic Godfather of Indonesia'". The New York Times. New York City, New York. June 3, 1964. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
- ^ Watkins, Mia (September 9, 2014). "Yolande Betbeze Fox: Alabama's first Miss America reflects on title more than 60 years later". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL: Advance Publications. Retrieved June 10, 2015.