Maurice "Buddy" Adler's journey in the film industry began long before he became a renowned producer. He attended Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he honed his writing skills by penning fiction short stories for various magazines.
In 1936, Adler joined MGM Pictures as a writer, contributing to the studio's popular series of short subjects. He soon found love and married actress Anita Louise in 1940. Adler's service to his country didn't go unnoticed, as he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II, rising through the ranks to become a Lieutenant Colonel.
Following the war, Adler returned to MGM, producing films for a year before making the switch to Columbia Pictures in 1949. His tenure at Columbia lasted until 1953, during which he earned the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year for his work on the critically acclaimed film "From Here to Eternity" (1953).
Adler's next move was to 20th Century-Fox, where he succeeded the legendary Darryl F. Zanuck as Head of Production in 1956. He remained at the helm until his untimely death in 1960. During his tenure, Adler oversaw the production of numerous successful films that continue to captivate audiences to this day. These include "Bus Stop" (1956),"A Hatful of Rain" (1957),"South Pacific" (1958),"Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" (1957),"The Left Hand of God" (1955),and "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" (1958).
Tragedy struck when Adler and his wife, Anita Louise, both passed away at a young age. Adler succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 51, while Louise died of a stroke at the age of 55. Despite the brevity of their lives, Adler's impact on the film industry and his legacy continue to be felt.
