- Born
- Died
- Barney Balaban is an American film executive who served as president of Paramount Pictures from 1936 to to 1964 and Chairman of the Board for Paramount from 1964 to 1966. His 28-year-run as president was the longest in Paramount history. Although his run at the studio ended in 1966 when Gulf-Western bought Paramount and its boss Charles Bluhdorn appointed himself Chairman, Balaban was an honorary chairman of the studio until his death in 1971. Prior to his work at Paramount, Balaban started the highly-successful Chicago movie theater chain Balaban and Katz with his brother A.J. Balaban and Sam Katz in 1916. By the mid-20s, Balaban and Katz boasted 125 theaters in Chicago and the surrounding area. Paramount bought the chain in 1926 but kept the Balabans as management. He married Tillie Urkov, and they had three children together: producer/director Burt Balaban, jazz musician Leonard "Red" Balaban, and actress/author Judy Balaban, who married studio executive and agent Jay Kanter.
- IMDb mini biography by: TD
- SpouseTillie Urkov(1929 - March 7, 1971) (his death, 3 children)
- ChildrenLeonard "Red" Balaban
- ParentsIsrael BalabanTillie Balaban née Manderbursky
- RelativesBob Balaban(Niece or Nephew)Victoria Kanter Colombetti(Grandchild)Amy Kanter(Grandchild)A.J. Balaban(Sibling)Max Balaban(Sibling)Elmer Balaban(Sibling)Harry Balaban(Sibling)Dave Balaban(Sibling)John Balaban(Sibling)Leah Balaban(Sibling)Ida Balaban(Sibling)Owen Thiele(Great Grandchild)
- Uncle of Bob Balaban.
- President of Paramount Pictures from 1936 to 1964.
- Ex-father-in-law of Anthony Franciosa.
- Grandfather of Nina Franciosa.
- Father of Judy Balaban and Burt Balaban.
- [the power Jerry Lewis had at Paramount] If Jerry wants to burn down the studio, I'll give him the match!
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
