Life and Career
Born in North Adams, Massachusetts, Melcher began his career working as an agent and road manager for The Andrews Sisters and eventually married Patty Andrews on October 19, 1947. The couple divorced on March 30, 1950. Slightly more than a year later, he married Day, and they formed their own production company, Arwin Productions, in 1952.
In 1962, Melcher made his only foray into Broadway theatre with The Perfect Setup, a play starring Gene Barry, Angie Dickinson, and Jan Sterling. It closed after five performances.
Melcher died of what could have been a ruptured appendix. According to Day's 1975 autobiography, Melcher's physician informed her that Melcher suffered from an enlarged heart. He practiced Christian Science and elected not to seek medical intervention until his condition deteriorated.
Shortly after his death, Day discovered Melcher had committed her to a CBS situation comedy, The Doris Day Show, without consulting her, and that not only had he lost the millions she had earned throughout their marriage because of poor investments, but he had left her seriously in debt as well. She sued his business partner Jerome B. Rosenthal and was awarded nearly $23 million for fraud and malpractice following a 99-day trial. Rosenthal declared bankruptcy, and in August 1977 Day settled with his insurers for $6 million that was paid in twenty-three annual installments.
Read more about this topic: Martin Melcher
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