Archer King, a renowned figure in the entertainment industry, has been a driving force for over five decades. With a career spanning multiple roles, including actor, producer, distributor, film packager, and entertainment consultant, Archer has left an indelible mark on the world of show business.
Archer's journey began with a stint as an actor, gracing the Broadway stage in the 1939 production of "Summer Night." His performances were so impressive that he was soon recruited by Uncle Sam to tour the world during World War II. After the war, Archer returned to the theatre, producing several plays on Broadway, including "Two Blind Mice" by Sam Spewack.
In 1952, Archer joined the Louis Shurr Agency as an agent, where he honed his skills and developed a keen eye for talent. His ability to spot hidden gems led to the discovery of some of the most iconic actors of the 20th century, including James Dean, Jason Robards, Jack Warden, Martin Sheen, Paul Mazursky, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Ron Howard.
As the years passed, Archer continued to build his reputation as a shrewd and innovative agent. In 1957, he founded his own agency, Archer King Ltd., which quickly gained a reputation for its ability to uncover and nurture new talent. The agency's roster included a diverse range of clients, from established stars like John Cassavettes, Broderick Crawford, Bette Midler, Dorothy Malone, Alexis Smith, and Tommy Tune to up-and-coming actors like James Dean.
In the 1960s, Archer expanded his reach by acquiring and distributing foreign films through Kanawha Films Ltd. This led to the introduction of several European directors who would go on to achieve international success, including Roman Polanski and Volker Schlondorff. Both directors' early films, "Knife in the Water" and "Young Torless," respectively, received Academy Award nominations.
In the late 1970s, Archer took on a new challenge, becoming the head of production for the Theatre-to-Television division of RKO Pictures. During his tenure, he acquired and produced several successful projects, including the award-winning "Sweeney Todd" starring Angela Lansbury and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Gin Game" starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy.
Today, Archer continues to be a driving force in the entertainment industry, dedicated to discovering and nurturing new talent in actors, directors, and writers. His agency remains a respected and influential force in the industry, with Archer at the helm, always on the lookout for the next big thing.
