Born Avram Goldenbogen in Minneapolis, MN. After trying his hand at a variety of business ventures, he began producing Broadway plays in 1936. He entered the film business in 1945, forming Michael Todd Productions. In 1951 he organized Thomas-Todd Productions with Lowell Thomas. In the early 50s he played an important role in Hollywood's wide-screen rush in the wake of TV competition. One of the original partners of the Cinerama corporation, he sold his shares in the company in 1953 and announced the formation of the Magna Corporation, in partnership with movie mogul Joseph M. Schenck, to exploit a 65 mm wide-screen process he had named Todd-AO. Their first production, OKLAHOMA! (1955), was a smash hit, but its success was overshadowed by the spectacular box-office returns of Todd's next project, the star-studded multimillion-dollar spectacle AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (1956). In March of 1958, while he was en route to New York for a dinner of the National Association of Theater Owners, at which he was to be named "Showman of the Year," his private plane crashed, killing all aboard. The plane was named "The Lucky Liz" after his wife, film star Elizabeth Taylor. They had been married the previous year after she had converted to Judaism.  Best Picture 1956: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - Producer at Todd 1 nomination, 1 Award