Archer King(1917-2012)

Celebrating over 50 years as a Corporation, and an Agent (one of the longest held franchises in New York) Archer King is energetic and active as any Agent could be, with a history as an Actor, producer, Distributor, Film Packager and Entertainment Consultant. Archer was an actor for a short time, with work including the Broadway Production "Summer Night" in 1939. This was followed by a world-wide tour courtesy Uncle Sam and World War 2. Again a civilian, Archer returned to the Theatre to Produce on Broadway a number of Plays including "Two Blind Mice" By Sam Spewack and finally, in 1952, he settled down as an Agent with the Louis Shurr Agency. Never one to stay very long, Archer forged out on his own and Incorporated his own Agency in 1957. He is credited with discovering such talents as James Dean, Jason Robards, Jack Warden, Martin Sheen, Paul Mazursky, Elizabeth Montgomery and Ron Howard. He also represented such clients as John Cassavettes, Broderick Crawford, Bette Midler, Dorothy Malone, Alexis Smith and Tommy Tune. In 1963. Archer King Ltd. under Kanawha Films Ltd. acquired and distributed a number of Foreign Films introducing, unknown European directors who have gone onto further success such as: Roman Polanski's Knife in the Water, and Volker Schlondorff's Young Torless. Both films were nominated for Academy Awards. In the late 1970s while retaining his agents franchise, Archer became the head of production of Theatre -to Television division of RKO Pictures. There he acquired and produced Sweeney Todd starring Angela Lansbury which won an Ace award. The Pulitzer Prize Play: The Gin Game starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. Today he prides himself in continuing to search for new and exciting talent in actors, directors and writers. He continues to Package plays, screenplays and producing and distributing Films.