| Matthew M. Fox | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1911 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 1964 (aged 53) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Spouse | Yolande Betbeze (1954–1964; his death) |
| Children | Yolande Dolly Fox |
| Relatives | Paris Campbell Grace (granddaughter) |
Matthew M. Fox (February 4, 1911 – June 2, 1964) was an American film and television executive.
Early life
Fox was born on February 4, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin. In his youth, he worked as an usher and doorman at the Rialto Theater in Racine.
Career
Fox moved to Hollywood, California and became the executive vice president of Universal Pictures and board chairman of United World Films. In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he left his role as vice president of Universal Pictures to serve the United States government. Fox joined the War Production Planning Commission and took charge of collecting scrap metal, old tires, and other discarded materials needed by defense industries. Fox later enlisted in the United States Army as a private and, by the end of World War II, was promoted to the rank of major.
Fox went back into business and was president of Skiatron of America, a company that introduced pay television in the United States. In 1948, Fox formed the international trade organization American-Indonesian Corporation. His company was terminated by the Indonesian government the following year, after Dutch rule ended, and he received a settlement of $550,000. Because of his role in Indonesian trade, he was nicknamed the "economic godfather of Indonesia".
At the time of his death in 1964, Fox was serving as board chairman of TV Productions, a subsidiary of Subscription Television, Inc., and president of Motion Pictures for Television, Inc.
Personal life
In 1954, Fox married Yolande Betbeze, an opera singer and Miss America 1951. They had one daughter, Yolande "Dolly" Fox.
On June 2, 1964, Fox died from a heart attack at his Park Avenue home. A funeral service was held on June 3, 1964, at Riverside Memorial Chapel on the Upper West Side. A graveside service conducted by Rabbi Hyman Cohen of Beth-Israel Sinai Temple was held on June 4, 1964, in Racine.
References
- ^ "Pay-TV Magnate Found Dead; Worked As Racine Theater Usher". The Journal Times. Racine, Wisconsin. June 3, 1964. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ "Matthew M. Fox, an Executive In Movies and TV, Dead at 53; Vice President of Universal at 25, He Was 'Economic Godfather of Indonesia'". The New York Times. New York City, New York. June 3, 1964. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
- Watkins, Mia (September 9, 2014). "Yolande Betbeze Fox: Alabama's first Miss America reflects on title more than 60 years later". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL: Advance Publications. Retrieved June 10, 2015.