Irv Levin
Encyclopedia
Irving H. Levin was an American film producer and business executive with the National General Corporation
. He was also the owner of the National Basketball Association
's Boston Celtics
and San Diego Clippers
.
Levin began his film career as the president of Filmmakers Releasing Organization, a film distribution company founded by independent producers Collier Young
and Ida Lupino
. When American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc. decided to expand to film production in 1956, Levin was named the first president of the Am-Par Picture Corporation. The company dissolved in 1959 and he moved to Atlantic Pictures Corp.
In 1961, Levin joined National Theaters & Television, Inc. as a vice president. In 1962 Eugene V. Klein
restructured the company into National General Corp., where Levin served as the executive vice president from 1962–1969 and president and CEO from 1969-1972. Levin was also president of NGC's entertainment assets, which included National General Pictures
and The Chinese Theatre
.
In April 1972, Levin and attorney Harold A. Lipton purchased the Boston Celtics
for $3.7 Million. The sale was rejected by the NBA as a result of conflict of interest concerns due to fellow National General directors Sam Schulman
and Eugene V. Klein owning the Seattle SuperSonics
. Levin and Lipton were forced to sell their shares to Robert Schmertz
that May for $3.95 Million with an option for the two to repurchase half of the Celtics' stock. After two years of litigation, Levin and Lipton were able exercise their option. Ten months later they purchased the remaining stock from Leisure Technology.
In 1978, Levin and Lipton swapped their shares in the Celtics with John Y. Brown, Jr.
and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr.
for their shares in the Buffalo Braves
. The Braves were relocated to San Diego, where the became the San Diego Clippers. On May 4, 1981 Levin sold the Clippers to Donald Sterling
for $13.5 million.
National General Pictures
National General Pictures was a Distribution and Film production company which was active between 1967 and 1973. NGP produced nine motion pictures inhouse and was the distributor of eighty films....
. He was also the owner of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and San Diego Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Levin began his film career as the president of Filmmakers Releasing Organization, a film distribution company founded by independent producers Collier Young
Collier Young
Film producer and writer Collier Young worked on many films in the 1950s before becoming a television producer for such shows as NBC's Ironside and CBS's The Wild, Wild West as well as the supernatural series One Step Beyond .Young was married to actress and director Ida Lupino from 1948 to 1951,...
and Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino was an English-born film actress and director, and a pioneer among women filmmakers. In her 48-year career, she appeared in 59 films and directed seven others, mostly in the United States. She appeared in serial television programmes 58 times and directed 50 other episodes...
. When American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc. decided to expand to film production in 1956, Levin was named the first president of the Am-Par Picture Corporation. The company dissolved in 1959 and he moved to Atlantic Pictures Corp.
In 1961, Levin joined National Theaters & Television, Inc. as a vice president. In 1962 Eugene V. Klein
Eugene V. Klein
Eugene Victor Klein was an American businessman who was Chairman of the Board of Directors and chief stockholder of National General Corp., an insurance and entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California...
restructured the company into National General Corp., where Levin served as the executive vice president from 1962–1969 and president and CEO from 1969-1972. Levin was also president of NGC's entertainment assets, which included National General Pictures
National General Pictures
National General Pictures was a Distribution and Film production company which was active between 1967 and 1973. NGP produced nine motion pictures inhouse and was the distributor of eighty films....
and The Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a movie theater at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It is on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame.The Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman's Egyptian Theatre which opened in 1922...
.
In April 1972, Levin and attorney Harold A. Lipton purchased the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
for $3.7 Million. The sale was rejected by the NBA as a result of conflict of interest concerns due to fellow National General directors Sam Schulman
Sam Schulman
Samuel "Sam" Schulman was an American businessman from New York who was a founding owner and President of the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association and an owner of the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.Born April 10, 1910, in New York City, Schulman graduated...
and Eugene V. Klein owning the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
. Levin and Lipton were forced to sell their shares to Robert Schmertz
Robert Schmertz
Robert Schmertz was an American developer and sports franchise owner. He was owner or part-owner of two NBA franchises; the Portland Trail Blazers from 1970 through 1972, and the Boston Celtics from 1972 until 1975...
that May for $3.95 Million with an option for the two to repurchase half of the Celtics' stock. After two years of litigation, Levin and Lipton were able exercise their option. Ten months later they purchased the remaining stock from Leisure Technology.
In 1978, Levin and Lipton swapped their shares in the Celtics with John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr.
Harry T. Mangurian, Jr.
Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. was an American veteran of World War II, businessman, a former owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team, a Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder, and a philanthropist....
for their shares in the Buffalo Braves
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. The Braves were relocated to San Diego, where the became the San Diego Clippers. On May 4, 1981 Levin sold the Clippers to Donald Sterling
Donald Sterling
Donald T. Sterling is an American real estate mogul, attorney, and the owner of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers. Sterling acquired the Clippers in 1981 for $12.5 million, and as of the 2008 rankings, the team is valued at $297 million by Forbes magazine, ranking them...
for $13.5 million.
Films produced by Levin
- CrashoutCrashout-Plot:Convict Van Duff is the leader of a large-scale prison break. The breakout works as the six survivors hide out in a forgotten mine working near the prison....
(1955) - Eighteen and Anxious (1957)
- Hell to EternityHell to EternityHell to Eternity is a 1960 World War II film starring Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone and directed by Phil Karlson. This film biopic is about the true experiences of Marine hero Pfc...
(1960) - Operation Thunderbolt (1977)
- To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)