American clarinet player and band leader, born 15 January 1918 in Newark, New Jersey; died September 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Brother of Malvin Wald.
Father of Andrew Wald.
He has been suggested as the basis for the character of Sammy Glick in Budd Schulberg s novel, What Makes Sammy Run?.
Father of Robert Wald
Brother-in-law of Barron Polan.
After he wrote a successful puff piece on the then-popular singer Russ Columbo , he caught the eye of Dick Powell , who suggested that Wald be brought to Hollywood to expand it into a feature.
He was a close friend of director Lloyd Bacon. He also formed a close relationship with Mark Hellinger , another Manhattan expatriate, who facilitated Walds entrance into the ranks of producer.
In 1947, federal marshals served summons on writers during the HUAC period. Many of these suspects, some of whom were later fined and jailed, actually worked for Wald, though the scandal never attached itself to him specifically.
In 1948, he tried to talk Jack L. Warner into signing Marlon Brando to a Warner Bros. contract, but the studio chief refused.
He entered James Madison High School in September 1925. Among his classmates were Garson Kanin and Irwin Shaw.
After he noticed that the New York Graphic was the only New York paper without a regular radio column, he was able to promote the job for himself. He worked there with Samuel Fuller and Ed Sullivan.
Was for a time the leader of the house orchestra at the famous Ciros nightclub on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood.
Also recorded "Lili Marlene".
