Samuel Guy Endore, a renowned Oscar-nominated screenwriter, was born on July 4, 1900, in New York City. His father, Isidor Goldestein, a coal miner, inventor, and investor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a complex figure who had a profound impact on Guy's life. Isidor's family was poor, and when Guy was just four years old, his mother, Malka Hapern Isidore, tragically committed suicide.
After his wife's death, Isidor changed the family name to Endore and had his children, including Guy, committed to a Methodist orphanage. He eventually sold an invention, which made him wealthy enough to send Guy and his siblings to Vienna, Austria, to be educated. Under the tutelage of a Catholic governess, they were raised for five years before their father disappeared from their lives, and the children were sent back to Pittsburgh.
Guy Endore's early life was marked by hardship, and he had to rely on his own resourcefulness to get by. He managed to attend New York's Columbia University, where he graduated in 1923 with his baccalaureate degree and later earned his master's degree in 1925. After completing his studies, he married Henrietta Portugal, with whom he had a long and fulfilling life.
In 1935, Guy Endore moved to Hollywood, where he began his career as a screenwriter. Although his credits were few, he made a successful living in the industry until he was blacklisted in the 1950s. During his time in Hollywood, he worked on several notable films, including Mark of the Vampire, Mad Love, The Raven, and The Devil-Doll, which showcased his fascination with occult subjects and hypnotism.
Guy Endore's political beliefs were also an important aspect of his life. While at Columbia, he was attracted to leftism, and he joined the Communist Party. He wrote articles for communist publications, including the New Masses, and was a vocal advocate for social justice.
Despite never being subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee, Guy Endore was eventually blacklisted. He used his wife's brother-in-law, Harry Relis, as a front and had previously worked as a front for Dalton Trumbo before his own blacklisting.
Guy Endore's career continued to flourish, and he was nominated for an Oscar in 1945 for his screenplay of Story of G.I. Joe. His last credit was the 1969 TV movie Fear No Evil.
Tragically, Guy Endore passed away on February 12, 1970, at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements in the world of screenwriting.
