Born in Chicago, IL; educated at Rutgers University, NJ. One of the most influential Hollywood producers who succeeded in combining serious, ambitious projects with commercial success. Former newsman, press agent, literary agent and high-powered talent agent, Stark co-founded the Seven Arts Production Company, specializing in made-for-TV-movies, with film executive Eliot Hyman in 1957. He produced his first independent feature (THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG) in 1960 and, with the formation of Rastar Productions in 1966, embarked on a highly successful career as an independent producer beginning with FUNNY GIRL, the first of his many popular Barbra Streisand vehicles. Stark also enjoyed multi-film collaborations with Neil Simon, Jackie Gleason, John Huston, Herbert Ross and Sydney Pollack. Among his more successful projects: THE WAY WE WERE (1973), THE SUNSHINE BOYS (1975), CALIFORNIA SUITE (1978), ANNIE (1982), PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED (1986) and STEEL MAGNOLIAS (1989). His wife, Frances (who died in 1992), was the daughter of Fanny Brice, the original FUNNY GIRL.  Nominated for Best Picture 1968: FUNNY GIRL - Producer at Rastar  Nominated for Best Picture 1977: THE GOODBYE GIRL - Producer at Stark  Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award 1979. 2 nominations, 1 Honorary Award