Born in New York City. With partner Burt Lancaster, one of the first Hollywood producers to break away from the traditional studio system and to handle every aspect of film production on an independent basis. Hecht came to Hollywood as a dance director/choreographer (HORSE FEATHERS, 1932; SHE DONE HIM WRONG and BED OF ROSES, both 1933; GLAMOUR and BOTTOMS UP, both 1934), having previously performed on the New York stage, with the Metropolitan Opera Co. and with the Martha Graham company. He then became a literary agent, formed Norma Productions with Lancaster shortly after WW II, and went on to enjoy sustained critical and commercial success with films such as MARTY (1955), SEPARATE TABLES (1958) and CAT BALLOU (1965). Other notable producer credits include THE CRIMSON PIRATE (1952), APACHE and VERA CRUZ (both 1954), TRAPEZE (1956), SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957), RUN SILENT RUN DEEP (1958), THE UNFORGIVEN (1960), BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ and TARAS BULBA (both 1962), FLIGHT FROM ASHIYA (1964), THE WAY WEST (1967) and ULZANA'S RAID (1972).  Best Picture 1955: MARTY - Producer at Hecht-Lancaster  Nominated for Best Picture 1958: SEPARATE TABLES - Producer at Hecht-Hill-Lancaster 2 nominations, 1 Award