Irene Mayer Selznick

Irene Mayer Selznick (with her mother). Daughter of Louis B. Mayer, wife of David O. Selznick. Irene Mayer Selznick was an amazing woman if only for managing to live with David O. for fifteen years. Actually, David remained devoted to her throughout his life and subsequent marriage to Jennifer Jones. Irene was one of those "women behind the men". Having been raised by Louis B. Mayer, she knew a lot about the film industry, and David came to rely heavily on her judgment in his choice of properties and their production, such as Gone With The Wind, casting, writing, everything. After her divorce from DOS, Irene, only a high school graduate, went on to become a very respected and accomplished producer on Broadway. Her best known and probably most successful production was Tennessee William's "A Streetcar Named Desire", where she cast an unknown Marlon Brando and chose Elia Kazan to direct. She also produced the very successful plays "Bell, Book and Candle" and "The Chalk Garden". Irene wasn't a producer who sat back and told other people what to do. She was hands-on and worked like a dog. Her autobiography, "A Private View", is a fascinating read. Bio submitted by Karen Henderson-Winge

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