Johnny Hyde

Johnny Hyde (born Ivan Haidabura; 23 April 1895 – 18 December 1950) was an American talent agent who developed the career of Marilyn Monroe.

Johnny Hyde
Born	Ivan Haidabura 23 April 1895 Poltava, Ukraine, Russian Empire
Died	18 December 1950(1950-12-18) (aged 55) Los Angeles County, California, United States
Spouses	Florence Harper Mozelle Cravens
Children	4 sons
Relatives	Norman Brokaw (nephew)[1]

Early life

Hyde was born to a Ukrainian Jewish family^[2] and moved to the United States in April 1898.^[3] His father, Nicholas, was an actor.^[4]

Career

Hyde was the vice-president of the William Morris Agency's West Coast office during the 1930s and 1940s and represented some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. In 1949 he met then-unknown actress and model Marilyn Monroe when she was being photographed by Hollywood pin-up photographer Bruno Bernard at the Racquet Club of Palm Springs.^[5] Taking her on as a client, he had her undergo minor plastic surgery,^[6] and used his influence to help her land the roles of Angela in The Asphalt Jungle and Miss Caswell in All About Eve. The buzz generated by her performances enabled Hyde to negotiate a contract for Monroe with 20th Century Fox.^[7][8] Just a few days after securing the contract, Hyde died of a heart attack aged 55.

Despite the fact that Monroe was nearly 31 years his junior, Hyde eventually left his wife for her. He wanted to marry her, but she repeatedly refused his marriage proposals; she said she loved Hyde, but was not actually in love with him. Monroe was his mistress when he died.^[9]

Death and legacy

Hyde died on 18 December 1950.^[10]

He was survived by his third wife, actress Mozelle Cravens (1914–2004) and his four sons, two from his first marriage to Florence Harper and two from Cravens.

Hyde was played by Ron Rifkin in Norma Jean & Marilyn, Richard Basehart in the TV movie Marilyn: The Untold Story, Joel Grey in the TV movie Marilyn and Me, and Lloyd Bridges in the TV miniseries Moviola episode "This Year's Blonde".

References

1. Dagan, Carmel (29 October 2016). "Norman Brokaw, Innovative, Powerful Agent at William Morris, Dies at 89". Variety. Michelle Sobrino. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
2. Meyers, Jeffrey (January 19, 2012). The Genius and the Goddess: Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe. University of Illinois Press; 1st edition. p. 155. ISBN 9780252078545.
3. Eszterhas, Joe (2006). The Devil's Guide to Hollywood: The Screenwriter as God!. New York: St Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-35987-4.
4. New York, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794–1943
5. von Sorge, Helmut (30 April 1984). "Palm Springs – das Goldene Kaff". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2012.
6. "Marilyn Monroe - Facts & Info". Marilyn Monroe Facts. MarilynMonroePages.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
7. Riese, Randall; Hitchens, Neal (1987). The Unabridged Marilyn, Her Life From A to Z. New York: Congdon & Weed. ISBN 978-0-517-65075-2.
8. Guiles, Fred Lawrence (1993). Legend: The Life and Death of Marilyn Monroe. New York: Marlowe & Co. ISBN 1-56924-937-7.
9. Rose, Frank (1995). The Agency: William Morris and the Hidden History of Show Business. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-88730-749-3.
10. California Death Records, using the search terms "John Hyde" 'vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com' Archived 2012-01-01 at the Wayback Machine 2 July 2010