Aaron Rosenberg

Biography

Aaron Rosenberg (Brooklyn, 1912 – Torrance, California, 1979) was an American film and television producer with more than sixty credits. Before entering the film business he was a standout college football player at the University of Southern California, selected for All-American teams in 1932 and 1933.

After graduating he joined 20th Century Fox in 1934 as an assistant director under producer Sol Wurtzel, and stayed there until 1942. Following naval service during the Second World War, he moved to Universal-International, where he began producing with Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949). His work with director Anthony Mann and star James Stewart, including Winchester '73 (1950), helped build his reputation in the western.

He later spent time at MGM, where he rescued Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and then returned to Fox to produce several Frank Sinatra films. He was also executive producer of the television series Daniel Boone (1964–1970). He died in 1979 after an extended illness. He is remembered as a studio professional who pushed for better pictures than the studios wanted.

Key films

• Winchester '73 (1950), a Anthony Mann western with James Stewart that helped define his output.
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), the Bounty story starring Marlon Brando, which earned him an Oscar nomination.
• Morituri (1965), a Fox production set during the Second World War.
• Lady in Cement (1968), a detective thriller starring Frank Sinatra.