Noted Hollywood producer Ross Hunter served in Army intelligence during
World War II. After the war he signed with Columbia Pictures and appeared in a
number of forgettable B-movies. He then became a producer and produced
more than 60 films. Most of his films tended to be bright
confections, many for Universal Pictures, with stars such as
Debbie Reynolds and
Julie Andrews. He also produced his share of "three-hankie weepers", including such fare as
Imitation of Life (1959), a remake of an earlier film (
Imitation of Life (1934)) that resurrected the career of
Lana Turner. His production principle was that audiences should leave the
theater either laughing or crying. His biggest success was
Airport (1970), for which he received his only Oscar nomination. It was such a
hit that in 1973 he remarked, "For three years, Universal's been
living on 'Airport'." He ended his long career at Universal, joining
Columbia in 1971 and then Paramount in 1974, where he produced made-for-TV
movies.
There's Always Tomorrow(1956)as Cameo Appearance
The Groom Wore Spurs(1951)as Austin Tindale
Sweetheart of Sigma Chi(1946)as Ted Sloan
The Bandit of Sherwood Forest(1946)as Robin Hood's Man
Out of the Depths(1945)as Clayton Shepherd
The Best Place to Be(1979)
Suddenly, Love(1978)
A Family Upside Down(1978)
Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers(1976)
The Lives of Jenny Dolan(1975)
When I Grow Up(1951)
The Sword of Monte Cristo(1951)
Woman on the Run(1950)
The Jackie Robinson Story(1950)
Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey(1991)as Self
AFI Life Achievement Award(1973)as Self - Audience Member
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed(2023)as Self - Film Producer
Hollywood, la vie rêvée de Lana Turner(2019)as Self
The 68th Annual Academy Awards(1996)as Self - Memorial Tribute
