Born in New York City and orphaned in childhood, he was raised by adoptive parents and set up a law practice in Los Angeles in 1928. He abandoned it four years later to become president of Famous Artists, a leading talent agency, with clients among Hollywood's top producers, directors, and actors. In the early 40s he turned producer and was subsequently responsible for a good number of high-quality productions: PITTSBURGH (1942), FOLLOW THE BOYS (1944), RED RIVER and MACBETH (both 1948), THE RED PONY (1949, exec. producer), THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955), WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (1962), WHAT'S NEW, PUSSYCAT (1965), THE GROUP (1966, exec. producer), THE HONEY POT (1967, exec. producer) and his last film, CASINO ROYALE (also 1967).  Nominated for Best Picture 1951: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE - Producer at Feldman 1 nomination