Became head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (M-G-M) after ousting longtime head and founder Louis B. Mayer. He held the post from 1951 to 1956.
Father of Jill Robinson.
Grandfather of Gabrielle Schary.
He was a staunch Democrat and a liberal activist who believed that film could be used to educate and uplift. His liberalism and inclination toward so-called "message" pictures put him in conflict with his boss, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer founder and studio head Louis B. Mayer, who was a diehard Republican and a major financial supporter of the party. After lackluster financial performance in 1949-50, Nicholas Schenck, chairman of Loew's Inc.--MGM's parent company--sided with Schary, replacing Mayer as production czar in mid-1951.
In Hebrew, the name Dore (pronounced DOR-ree) Schary means "Gate to my generation."
Related to the great fashion photographer, Richard Avedon.
Uncle of Joel Freeman.
Was to have played himself on an "I Love Lucy" (1951) episode. Business commitments necessitated his canceling the appearance, and he was played by Philip Ober, the then-husband of Lucille Ball's co-star, Vivian Vance.