Origins & Early Life

Vilmos Fried (German: Wilhelm Fried Fuchs [fʊks]; January 1, 1879 – May 8, 1952), known professionally as William Fox, was a Hungarian-American film industry executive who founded the Fox Film Corporation in 1915 and the Fox West Coast Theatres chain in the 1920s. Although he lost control of his film businesses in 1930, his name was used by 20th Century Fox (The Walt Disney Company) and continues to be used in the trademarks of the present-day Fox Corporation, including the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox News, Fox Sports, and Foxtel. He was born in Tolcsva, Hungary. His parents, Michael Fuchs and Anna Fried, were both Hungarian Jews.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The family immigrated to the United States when William was nine months old and settled in New York City, where they had twelve more children, of whom only six survived. To help the family financially William found a job selling candy and newspapers in Central Park. At the age of eight, he fell off the back of an ice truck, breaking his left arm. This accident left him with a permanent impairment. He also found employment in the garment industry.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1900 Fox started his own company, which he sold in 1904 to purchase his...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Einstein — Contemporary (Born in 1879) (1879): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for the theory of relativity and E=mc2.
• Albrecht von Roon — Contemporary (Died in 1879) (1879): Prussian general and statesman instrumental in German unification under Prussian leadership.
• Bedřich Hrozný — Contemporary (Born in 1879) (1879): Pioneering Czech orientalist who deciphered the ancient Hittite language.
• Albert Bassermann — Contemporary (Died in 1952) (1952): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
• Amy Tan — Contemporary (Born in 1952) (1952): Acclaimed American novelist celebrated for exploring Chinese-American family dynamics.
• Angela Strank — Contemporary (Born in 1952) (1952): British engineer and Chief Scientist at BP, specializing in downstream technology.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Arcadius — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (377): Eastern Roman Emperor who ruled from 395 to 408 AD, succeeding Theodosius I.
• 6ix9ine — Shared historical date (05-08 · Born) (1996): American rapper known for aggressive style and controversial public persona.
• Charles Horton Cooley — Shared historical date (05-08 · Died) (1929): Pioneering American sociologist known for the 'looking-glass self' concept.
• 1879 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1879
• January 1 (01-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 1
• 1952 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1952
• May 8 (05-08) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 8