(AP) – Frank Rosenfelt, who as chairman and CEO of MGM Studios helped green-light such classic movies as “Network” and “Doctor Zhivago,” has died. He was 85.
Rosenfelt died Thursday at his Los Angeles home, his granddaughter, Stacey Lubliner, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. She did not know the cause of death.
Rosenfelt, a lawyer, joined MGM in 1955 after spending five years in the legal department of RKO. He became MGM’s general counsel in 1969 and was named studio chief after mogul Kirk Kerkorian bought MGM in 1972.
He led negotiations when MGM acquired United Artists in 1981.
MGM turned out several major movies during Rosenfelt’s time there, including Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 epic, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and 1975’s “The Sunshine Boys.” He was credited with securing the movie rights for 1965’s “Doctor Zhivago.”
One of his biggest disappointments was when “Network,” which inspired the classic line, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore,” lost the Academy Award for best picture to “Rocky.” He reportedly was so angry he banned the mention of the winning movie’s name from his home.
Rosenfelt left the CEO position in 1982 and for nearly a decade was a vice chairman of MGM’s board, based in London. After leaving the studio, he opened an independent consulting business.
Born Nov. 15, 1921, in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Rosenfelt earned a Purple Heart fighting in the Battle of the Bulge under Gen. George S. Patton during World War II.
After the war, he attended Cornell University Law School before going to work for RKO in 1950.
From 1977 to 1985, Rosenfelt was on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
During his years at MGM, Rosenfelt became friends with Kubrick; “Zhivago” director David Lean; comedian George Burns; who had won an Oscar for “The Sunshine Boys”; and many other celebrities.
“He was just so humble and down to earth,” his granddaughter said. “He always did the right thing. I think that he was very honest with people.”
In addition to his granddaughter, Rosenfelt’s survivors include his wife, Judith; a daughter, Karen; sons Fred and Peter; two other grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and two brothers.
