Actively campaigned for Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election, even buying full-page ads in major newspapers entitled, "Why Nixon Should be President".
At the 16th Academy Awards ceremony, when Casablanca (1942) was named Best Picture, Hal B. Wallis, the film's producer, was on his way to the stage to accept the Oscar when Jack cut him off and accepted on behalf of the studio. At the time, the Oscar for Best Picture customarily went to the studio. But, Jack's public rudeness had two consequences: first, Wallis resigned from Warner Brothers in protest; second, producers began exerting more power with the Academy. Within eight years, starting with An American in Paris (1951), the Oscar for Best Picture would go to the film's producer(s) instead of the studio.
Began as an enthusiastic Democrat, supporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt when Louis B. Mayer and most other studio chiefs were anti-FDR Republicans. Became a Republican later during the post-WWII McCarthy "Red Scare" era.
By the end of 1973, those closest to Warner became aware of signs that he was becoming disoriented. Shortly after losing his way in the building that housed his own office, Warner retired. In 1974, the former studio chief suffered a stroke that left him blind and enfeebled. During the next several years, he gradually lost the ability to speak and became unresponsive to friends and relatives.
Co-founder of Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., along with brothers Harry M. Warner (the company's president), Sam Warner (the CEO) and Albert Warner (the treasurer). Was the studio's executive in charge of production until 1967 when he sold the studio to Seven Arts. (He lost interest in the studio after the death of Albert made him the last surviving Warner brother).
Father of producer Jack Warner Jr.
He and second wife Ann Boyar had a daughter, Barbara Warner.
He was a staunch conservative Republican and an active supporter of the Hollywood blacklist. He personally testified as a friendly witness before the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1947, naming twelve screenwriters as Communist sympathizers (all were subsequently blacklisted).
His second wife was actress Ann Boyar (1908-1990), aka Ann Page or Ann Paige. She was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. Actress Joy Page was his stepdaughter.
In 1903, his father bought a nickelodeon in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Jack was a boy soprano who sang between films. He went on a singing tour of vaudeville theaters in the Mid-Atlantic States, but returned home when his brothers decided to go into movie production.
In the 1960s he was a fierce critic of opponents of the Vietnam War.
Is portrayed by Tim Woodward in RKO 281 (1999) (TV), by Richard Dysart in Bogie (1980) (TV), by Hal Linden in My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn (1985) (TV), by Danny Wells in Gleason (2002) (TV), by Mike Connors in James Dean: Race with Destiny (1997) (TV), by Richard M. Davidson in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) (TV), by Len Kaserman in The Three Stooges (2000) (TV), by Barry Langrishe in The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004) (TV), by Mark Rydell in Ja
Left an estate worth $15 million.
Narrowly escaped death in a car crash on 5 August 1958.
One of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
Removed the song "Cool Considerate Man" from the musical 1776 (1972) on the suggestion of his close friend President Richard Nixon, who felt it could be used as anti-Republican propaganda in an election year.
Stepfather of Joy Page
The "L" in his adopted name stood for "Leonard."
The youngest of 12 children.
Tried to block the production of Bonnie and Clyde (1967), a film he hated, until he saw the long lines of people waiting to see it. Then he said: "Now I like it".