Ray Stark: Hollywood Producer of Funny Girl and Steel Magnolias Dies at

January 17, 2004

Ray Stark was an American film producer and talent agent. Born Raymond Otto Stark on October 3, 1915, in New York City, he began as a publicist and became an agent before moving to producing.

Stark produced The World of Suzie Wong (1960), Funny Girl (1968), The Goodbye Girl (1977), Annie (1982) and Steel Magnolias (1989). He received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1980 and the Producers Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.

Stark married Frances Brice, daughter of comedian Fanny Brice, in 1940, and Funny Girl was based on her life. In 1979 he funded the producing program at USC that carries his son Peter's name. Stark died at his home in Los Angeles on January 17, 2004, at age 88, of heart failure.

Achievements: Thalberg Memorial Award (1980), Producers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award (1999), producer of Funny Girl, The Goodbye Girl, Annie and Steel Magnolias.

Birth: October 3, 1915 - New York City.

Profession: Film producer.

Interesting Facts: He was twice named California Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year.