Edwin Harris Knopf

"New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WWD-RMD : 11 February 2018), Edwin Harris Knopf, 11 Nov 1899; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference cn 43728 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,953,618

"California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HGWD-Q6ZM : Thu Mar 21 00:56:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Edwin Harris Knopf and Samuel Knopf, 30 December 1981. (Check images 1197 to 1203. George Szkolny)

Edwin Harris Knopf was the son of Samuel Knopf and wife Lillian Harris, and brother of publishing great, Alfred A. Knopf. He was born November 11, 1899 in New York City and died December 27, 1981 in Brentwood, Los Angeles County, California. He married twice, first to opera and Broadway star Mary Ellis and second to actress Mildred Oppenheimer.

Knopf was college-educated with a Bachelor of Arts degree before he began his career. He joined his brother's firm working in the editorial department of his brother's company. He left the publishing industry in 1920 to try his hand at acting, and appeared in stage productions on Broadway and in Europe. After producing several successful plays, he was brought to Hollywood as a director and screenwriter. In 1936 he was put under contract to MGM as a director and as head of their scenario department, and by 1940 he had become an independent producer.

Knopf was also a lyricist and playwright, and his hit play, Mr. Imperium, was brought to the screen by MGM, which also had him write the screenplay and produce it (Mr. Imperium (1951)), although he didn't direct it.

Although he is best known for his behind-the-camera work, he did write a number of songs. Joining ASCAP in 1952, his chief musical collaborators included Leo Robin, Jack King, Bronislaw Kaper and Harold Adamson. His popular-song compositions include "Thank You Very Much", "Through", and "Everything's Been Done Before".

See also:

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0461348/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm#spouse