Irving Fein

Infobox actor
name = Irving Fein


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birthdate = birth date and age|1911|6|21
location = Brooklyn, New York City
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Irving Fein (born June 21, 1911) is an American television and film producer and was the longtime manager of entertainers Jack Benny and George Burns.

Biography

Early life

Irving Ashley Fein was born on June 21, 1911 in Brooklyn, New York to Harry Fein, a bricklayer, and his wife. An exceptional student, Irving skipped three grade levels before graduating grade school at just twelve years old. He went on to attend the University of Baltimore before transfering to a non-traditional college in Wisconsin. It was during the summer months when Irving attended several camps that he became interested in dramatics and writing.

Career

After writing several short stories, Irving was hired to work in the publicity and advertising department for Warner Brothers in New York City. At the same time, Irving attended
Brooklyn Law School in the evening and eventually earned his juris doctor. He turned down an offer to work in the legal department at Warner Brothers and instead moved to their California office where he began in the mail room and soon joined their publicity department making thirty five dollars a week. Less than a year after moving to California, Irving received an offer to join the publicity department at MGM Studios. He accepted and his salary jumped to one hundred fifty dollars a week.

Jack Benny

In 1947, Irving began his twenty eight year association with Jack Benny when he was hired at Benny's publicity and advertising director. From 1936 to 1940, Benny's radio show had been number one, but soon dropped to number four with Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, and the Lux Radio Theatre gaining publicity. Six months after Irving joined Benny, his show was back at number one.