Michael White (producer) facts for kids

Michael Simon White (born January 16, 1936 – died March 7, 2016) was a famous British producer. He created many plays and movies. Over 50 years, Michael White was involved in 101 stage shows and 27 films. He helped bring many popular stories to life.

Early Life and Education

Michael White was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, Victor White, ran a business making gloves. His mother, Doris, worked with property. Michael's family had Eastern European Jewish backgrounds.

When Michael was a boy, he had asthma. Because of this, his parents sent him to a boarding school. This school was called the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz in Switzerland. He started there at age 7. He was the only student who did not speak French. Later, he went to the Sorbonne in Paris and graduated.

A Career in Entertainment

In the 1950s, Michael White worked in New York City. He was a runner on Wall Street. But he soon became very interested in theatre. He spent five years helping Sir Peter Daubeny with his World Theatre seasons in London.

Producing Stage Shows

Michael White produced his first play in London's West End in 1961. It was called The Connection. He went on to produce many famous plays and musicals. These included Sleuth, Oh! Calcutta!, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. He also produced the first show of The Rocky Horror Show.

Making Movies

At the same time, White also started producing films. He helped create the movie version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also produced Monty Python and the Holy Grail (both from 1975). Later, he worked on The Comic Strip Presents.... This TV show started when Channel 4 first opened in 1982.

Over time, some of his films lost money. In 2005, he faced financial difficulties.

About Michael White

Michael White wrote a book about his life. It was called Empty Seats and came out in 1985.

His life story was also made into a movie. This was a documentary film called The Last Impresario. It was directed by Gracie Otto in 2013. The film was shown for the first time at the BFI London Film Festival. Critics liked the movie very much.

Personal Life

Michael White was married two times. His first wife was Sarah Hillsdon. She was a model and designer. They were married from 1965 to 1972. They had three children together.

In 1985, he married Louise Moores. She was 26 years younger than him. Louise's family owned the Littlewoods company. This company was known for football pools and mail order. Michael and Louise had one son.

Michael White passed away on March 7, 2016. He was 80 years old.

Famous Stage Productions

Here are some of the most well-known plays and musicals Michael White produced:

Musicals

• Oh! Calcutta! (1970, West End)
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1973, West End)
• The Rocky Horror Show (1973, West End)
• Two Gentlemen of Verona (1973, West End)
• A Chorus Line (1976, West End)
• Annie (1978, West End)
• She Loves Me (1994, West End revival)

Plays

• Sleuth (1971, Broadway)
• City Sugar (1978)

Filmography

Here are some of the films Michael White produced or helped produce:

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
• Jabberwocky (1977)
• The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978)
• My Dinner With Andre (1981)
• Polyester (1981)
• Shock Treatment (1981)
• Moonlighting (1982)
• The Comic Strip Presents... (1982)
• Heat and Dust (1983)
• The Ploughman's Lunch (1983)
• The Supergrass (1985)
• White Mischief (1987)
• Nuns on the Run (1989)
• Widows' Peak (1994)
• Enigma (2001)

He also appeared as himself in:

• The Last Impresario (2013)