Spyros Skouras

Spyros Skouras
Skouras with Alan E. Freedman in 1960
Born
Spyros Panagiotis Skouras

(1893-03-28)March 28, 1893
Skourochori, Greece
DiedAugust 16, 1971(1971-08-16) (aged 78)
Mamaroneck, New York, United States
OccupationFilm executive
Board member ofSkouras Brothers Enterprises, 20th Century Fox
SpouseSaroula Bruiglia (1920–1971)
Children5
RelativesSiblings: Charles, George

Spyros Panagiotis Skouras (/ˈskʊərəs/; Greek: Σπύρος Σκούρας; March 28, 1893 – August 16, 1971) was a Greek-American motion picture pioneer and film executive who was the president of 20th Century-Fox from 1942 to 1962. He resigned June 27, 1962, but served as chairman of the company for several more years. He also had numerous ships, owning Prudential Lines.

Skouras and two brothers came to the United States as immigrants in 1910; Spyros kept such a pronounced Greek accent in English that comedian Bob Hope would joke "Spyros has been here twenty years but he still sounds as if he's coming next week."[1] Skouras oversaw the production of such epics as Cleopatra (1963) with Elizabeth Taylor, as well as the development of Century City.

  1. ^ Yannicos, Trina (5 August 2023). "The Skouras Brothers, the Greek Magnates of Hollywood". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 5 September 2023.