Ross Hunter

Ross Hunter, born Martin Fuss (May 6, 1920 - March 10, 1996), was a noted Hollywood film producer. After serving in Army intelligence during World War II, Hunter signed a movie contract with Columbia Pictures and acted in a number of B-movie musicals. Success followed when he transisioned to become a film producer attaining a staff producer post at Universal Pictures in 1953 on the strength of his previous credits as a theatrical producer and director. Hunter was known for producing what were considered "light" films starring actresses including Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, and Julie Andrews. He was also known for melodramas such as Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and Airport. In the early 1970s, after flopping with the 1973 version of Lost Horizon, he worked for Paramount Pictures on a string of television movies.