Albert R. Broccoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert R. Broccoli
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"Cubby" Broccoli in 1976
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| Born |
Albert Romolo Broccoli
April 5, 1909 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | June 27, 1996 (aged 87) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
| Other names | Cubby Broccoli |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Years active | 1953–1996 |
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Notable work
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James Bond film series |
| Spouse(s) |
Gloria Blondell
(m. 1940; div. 1945)Nedra Clark
(m. 1951; died 1958)Dana Natol
(m. 1959) |
| Children | 3, including Barbara |
| Relatives |
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Albert Romolo Broccoli (born April 5, 1909 – died June 27, 1996) was an American film producer. People called him "Cubby". He made over 40 movies in his life. Many of his films were made in the United Kingdom, often at Pinewood Studios.
He helped start two film companies, Danjaq and Eon Productions. Broccoli is most famous for producing many of the James Bond films. He worked with Harry Saltzman to make these movies. They started as smaller films and grew into huge, exciting blockbusters. Broccoli's family still makes new James Bond movies today.
Contents
Early Life and First Jobs
Broccoli was born in Queens, New York City. He was the younger of two children. His parents were immigrants from Calabria, Italy. He got his nickname "Cubby" from his cousin. It came from a cartoon character called "Kabibble".
His family later bought a farm in Smithtown, Long Island, New York. After his father died, Broccoli moved to Astoria, Queens, to live with his grandmother. He had many different jobs, including making caskets.
Then, he started working in the film industry. He began as a helper on the movie The Outlaw (1941). This film starred Jane Russell. He quickly moved up to become an assistant director.
Moving to the UK and Starting Bond
In the early 1950s, Broccoli moved to London, England. The British government offered help to movies made in the UK. These movies also had to use British actors and film crews.
Broccoli teamed up with Irving Allen. They formed a company called Warwick Films. This company made many successful movies for Columbia Pictures.
Broccoli became very interested in making a movie about Ian Fleming's character, James Bond. He found out that another producer, Harry Saltzman, already owned the rights to Bond. Saltzman had wanted to make films for a long time.
When they met, Saltzman did not want to sell the rights. Instead, he agreed to work with Broccoli. They decided to produce the Bond films together. This led to the creation of their film companies, EON Productions and Danjaq. These names came from their wives' first names, Dana and Jacqueline.
Saltzman and Broccoli made the first Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. Their second film, From Russia with Love, was a huge hit. After that, the Bond films became bigger and more expensive. They had more action, difficult stunts, and special effects. They also filmed in many exciting places around the world. The James Bond series became almost a full-time job for them.
Broccoli tried to make one non-Bond film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in 1968. By the mid-1960s, he was putting almost all his effort into the Bond series. Saltzman also worked on other films. Eventually, Saltzman left Danjaq and EON. From then on, every EON Bond film started with the words "Albert R. Broccoli Presents." The films continued to be popular with audiences.
Family Life and Legacy
Broccoli was married three times. In 1940, he married actress Gloria Blondell. They divorced in 1945. In 1951, he married Nedra Clark. They adopted a son named Tony. Nedra sadly died in 1958, shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Tina.
In 1959, Broccoli married actress and writer Dana Natol. They had a daughter, Barbara Broccoli. Dana adopted his other two children. Albert Broccoli also became a mentor to Dana's teenage son, Michael G. Wilson. The children grew up around the Bond film sets.
Michael Wilson worked his way up in the film company. He later helped write and produce the Bond films. Barbara Broccoli also worked with her father from the 1980s. Since Albert Broccoli's death, Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have continued to produce the James Bond movies together.
Honors and Later Life
- In 1981, he received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. This award is for great work in film. Roger Moore, who played James Bond at the time, gave him the award at the Academy Awards ceremony.
- In 1990, Broccoli received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is under his nickname, Cubby Broccoli.
- He loved Thoroughbred horse racing. Albert Broccoli owned a horse named Brocco. This horse won a big race in 1993 called the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
- An autobiography about his life was published after he died in 1999. It was called When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli.
- The movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) ended with a message: "In loving memory of Albert R. (Cubby) Broccoli".
- The Albert and Dana Broccoli Theatre is a theater at the University of Southern California's USC School of Cinematic Arts. It was finished in 2010.
Death
Broccoli died at his home in Beverly Hills in 1996. He was 87 years old. He passed away from heart failure. He had surgery on his heart earlier that year. He was buried in an ornate tomb at Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Broccoli always made sure that every James Bond film produced by EON showed the name of the character's creator, Ian Fleming, in the opening credits. Because of this, his family decided that all future Bond films should also show Broccoli's name. So, all Bond films since Tomorrow Never Dies begin with the line "Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions presents".
Filmography
Producer with Harry Saltzman
- Dr. No (1962)
- From Russia with Love (1963)
- Goldfinger (1964)
- You Only Live Twice (1967)
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
- Diamonds are Forever (1971)
- Live and Let Die (1973)
- The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Executive producer with Harry Saltzman
- Thunderball (1965) (produced by Kevin McClory)
Producer (solo)
- The Red Beret (1953)
- Fire Down Below (1957)
- The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960)
- Jazz Boat (1960)
- Call Me Bwana (1963)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
- The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
- Moonraker (1979)
- For Your Eyes Only (1981)
- Octopussy (1983)
Producer with Michael G. Wilson
- A View to a Kill (1985)
- The Living Daylights (1987)
- Licence to Kill (1989)
Consulting producer
- GoldenEye (1995) (credited as presenter)
Cameos
- Fire Down Below (1957) – Smuggler
- Moonraker (1979) – Tourist in Venice with wife Dana Broccoli
See Also
In Spanish: Albert R. Broccoli para niños
- Ian Fleming
- James Bond (character)
Images for kids
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Albert "Cubby" Broccoli in 1976
