Allan Carr, a visionary producer and successful personal manager, made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. With his keen eye for what captivates audiences, he produced mainstream hits like ‘Survive’ and ‘Grease’, as well as award-winning Broadway plays like ‘La Cage aux Folles’. His financial success in Hollywood and his ability to organize extravagant parties earned him a reputation as a millionaire and a man of grandeur. Despite his bypass surgery for weight loss, he continued to thrive and even organized the most extravagant party in town. His talent and flair led him to be chosen as the producer for the ’61st Academy Awards’, where he pioneered the trend of saying ‘The Oscar goes to…’. Sadly, his life was cut short after a challenging battle with cancer, but his contributions to the industry will always be remembered.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Allan Solomon
- Died At Age: 62
- Occupation: TV & Movie Producer
- Nationality: American
- Died on: June 29, 1999
- Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, United States
- Cause of Death: Liver Cancer
- City: Chicago, Illinois
- U.S. State: Illinois
- Education: Northwestern University
Childhood & Early Life
Allan Carr was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 27th, 1937. He was the only child of his parents, who divorced when he was in his early teens. His father was a successful furniture dealer.
Allan attended Lake Forest College and later Northwestern University. During his time at Lake Forest College, he started his own theatre and rented the Civic Theatre. Some of the first productions at his theatre included “The World of Carl Sandburg” starring Bette Davis and Gary Merrill, “Mary Stuart” directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie, and Tennessee Williams’s play “Garden District”.
Career
After his time in college, Allan decided to pursue a career in the showbiz industry. He changed his name from Allan Solomon to Allan Carr and started working at the Chicago Symphony, his father’s furniture store, and a financial firm as a skip tracer.
At the age of 18, Allan invested $750 of his savings in the Broadway show “Ziegfeld Follies”, but it closed before reaching Broadway. He then worked for Playboy magazine, helping with the creation of the television series “Playboy Penthouse”.
In 1966, Allan founded the talent management agency Allan Carr Enterprises and became a personal manager. He had a clientele that included Olivia Newton-John, Keir Dullea, Roz Russell, Tony Curtis, Mama Cass Elliott, Marvin Hamlisch, Nancy Walker, and the German Shephard “Won Ton Ton”.
Allan was known for shaping the career of actress and singer Ann Margaret and produced the 1970 movie “C.C. and Company” featuring her. He also worked as a marketing and promotion consultant for producer Robert Stigwood, working on projects like the movie “Tommy” and the Mexican movie “Survive”.
In 1977, Allan was assigned the production of the ad campaign for the dance film “Saturday Night Fever” and landed the production rights for the next Paramount production “Grease”. He co-produced “Grease” and also drafted the screen adaptation. The movie became the highest-grossing film of the year.
Allan continued to work on various projects, including appearing in the television series “Police Woman” and producing movies like “Can’t Stop the Music” and a sequel to “Grease”. He also produced the musical “La Cage aux Folles”, which was a huge success and won several awards.
Major Works
Allan Carr’s major work was the 1978 movie “Grease”, which became a huge success and established his reputation as a filmmaker. The movie earned multiple award nominations and won two People’s Choice Awards.
Personal Life & Legacy
Allan Carr struggled with his weight and underwent gastric bypass surgery to address his health issues. He died of liver cancer in 1999 at his Beverly Hills home. Allan was known for living life to the fullest and was organizing a grand party for his friends at the time of his death.
Trivia
Allan Carr won the first annual Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Film in 1981 for his movie “Can’t Stop the Music”.