Ted Mann

Ted Mann (April 16, 1916 – January 15, 2001) was an American businessman, film producer, and screenwriter, who famously changed the name of Grauman's Chinese Theater to Mann's Chinese Theater when he purchased the National General Theatre chain that owned it in 1973. Born in Wishek, North Dakota, Mann started off in the movie business as an usher around the time he attended the University of Minnesota in the 1930s. He rented the Selby Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota for $100 a month and began to grow his own company. He ran the theater almost completely by himself, expanding to 25 venues within a few years.

Related Topics:
April 16 - 1916 - January 15 - 2001 - American - Businessman - Film - Producer - Screenwriter - Grauman's Chinese Theater - 1973 - Wishek, North Dakota - Usher - University of Minnesota - 1930s - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Mann sold the theaters to General Cinema Corporation in 1970 and moved to California. The first production to his credit was 1969's The Illustrated Man, based on a Ray Bradbury book. He didn't stay out of the theater business for long, and purchased the troubled 276-screen National General Theatre chain in 1973. Mann soon expanded the chain to 360 screens, but again sold off his theaters in 1986, this time to Gulf and Western, later to become part of Paramount Communications. Grauman's Theater eventually regained its original name in late 2001.

Related Topics:
General Cinema Corporation - 1970 - California - 1969 - The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury - Book - 1986 - Gulf and Western - Paramount Communications - 2001

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The later years of Mann's life were more focused on television, where he wrote for series such as Miami Vice, NYPD Blue, Millennium, and Judging Amy.

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Television - Miami Vice - NYPD Blue - Millennium - Judging Amy

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Both the Orpheum and Pantages venues of today's Hennepin Theatre District in Minneapolis were once owned by Mann. He eventually owned at least six theaters in the city's downtown region. The Ted Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis is named for him. He married actress Rhonda Fleming in 1977, and they remained together until Mann died at age 84 in Los Angeles of complications from a stroke.

Related Topics:
Hennepin Theatre District - Minneapolis - Downtown - Ted Mann Concert Hall - Married - Actress - Rhonda Fleming - 1977 - Los Angeles - Stroke

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