Jack Rollins (producer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack Rollins
Rollins in 1984
Born	Jacob Rabinowitz (1915-03-23)March 23, 1915 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	June 18, 2015(2015-06-18) (aged 100) Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Film and television producer and talent manager
Years active	1952–2015

Jack Rollins (born Jacob Rabinowitz; March 23, 1915 – June 18, 2015) was an American film and television producer. He was also a talent manager, which means he helped guide the careers of actors and comedians.

Rollins became well-known in the 1950s. He managed the famous singer and actor Harry Belafonte. He even helped write a song called Man Piaba for Belafonte's first album. In 1958, he helped start the comedy team Nichols and May. Later, with his partner Charles H. Joffe, he helped many other famous comedians. These included Woody Allen, Dick Cavett, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, and Robin Williams.

Jack Rollins also produced many films and TV shows. He was an executive producer for many films directed by Woody Allen from 1969 to 2015. He also produced The Dick Cavett Show and Late Night with David Letterman. For his work on these shows, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award ten times.

Jack Rollins' Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jack Rollins was born Jacob Rabinowitz in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were immigrants from Russia. In 1933, he finished high school at Thomas Jefferson High School. He then earned a college degree from the City College of New York in 1937.

After college, Rollins worked at an orphanage in Chicago for two years. Then, he joined the United States Army during World War II. During the war, he worked as a decoder in India. He became friends with actor Melvyn Douglas, who was one of his officers. Rollins helped Douglas put on shows for soldiers.

After the war, Melvyn Douglas helped Rollins meet people in the entertainment world. This helped Rollins start his career as a producer on Broadway.

Becoming a Talent Manager

Rollins tried producing Broadway shows in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, it was very difficult and didn't work out. In 1951, he decided to open his own talent agency in Midtown Manhattan. He started by working with the then-unknown singer Harry Belafonte.

Later, he teamed up with Charles H. Joffe. Together, they successfully managed the careers of many artists. Most of these artists were comedians. Some of the famous names they helped include Woody Allen, Dick Cavett, Billy Crystal, Robert Klein, David Letterman, Robin Williams, and the comedy duo Nichols and May. Joffe mainly focused on Woody Allen, while Rollins worked with the others.

Robin Williams once called Jack Rollins 'the most ethical man in show business'. He said this during his acceptance speech for the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005.

Rollins was also a producer for The David Letterman Show in 1980. He continued as a producer for Late Night with David Letterman from its start in 1982 until 1992. Jack Rollins was good friends with jazz pianist Bill Evans. They even owned a racehorse together named 'Annie Hall'. Rollins passed away on June 18, 2015.

Jack Rollins' Work as an Executive Producer

Films Produced by Jack Rollins

Rollins was an executive producer for many films. Most of these were directed by Woody Allen.

Television Shows Produced by Jack Rollins

Rollins also produced several television shows and specials.

Jack Rollins as an Actor

Jack Rollins also appeared as an actor in a few films and documentaries.

Awards and Nominations for Jack Rollins

Jack Rollins was recognized for his work with several awards and nominations.

See also

In Spanish: Jack Rollins para niños