Murray Schwartz

Murray Schwartz, former President and CEO of Merv Griffin Enterprises, is renowned in the entertainment business among industry insiders. Starting in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in 1955, Murray rose to become a television agent, and eventually the behind-the-scenes partner with Merv Griffin to create many of the most successful game shows in TV history, several of which are still on the air today, including Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Murray launched and produced numerous successful shows and pioneered several television business strategies, including the whole concept of television syndication.

Murray’s father managed the famous Red Mill burlesque nightclub in the Bronx, New York. It was there, as a kid in the 1950s, that he became enamored with entertainment. He met Moe Gold, the quintessential talent agent; cigar, flashy suits, loud ties always with a wad of cash. Moe told him to try for a job at the William Morris Agency; at the time it was the “Rolls Royce” in the industry - known only as the Morris Office. So, at age 17, Murray got a job in their famed mailroom, where other notables also began their careers: David Geffen, Ron Meyer, Irwin Winkler, Jerry Weintraub, to name just a few of “the boys in the mailroom” who did just fine. Even Abe Lastfogel, who became the brains and head of the entire Morris Office, started in the mailroom, back when William Morris Sr. was the boss.

After his stint in the mailroom, Murray was eager to move up. Through a combination of luck, pluck, and timing, he was asked by the legendary George Wood, agent to Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. among others, to become his secretary/assistant. George Wood was Murray’s mentor in the world of show business.

Schwartz soon advanced from George Wood’s assistant to become an agent in the Television Department. He met Merv Griffin when he was booking guests for the Tonight Show. Merv was a great success on the Tonight Show and Schwartz brought him to the Morris Office as a client. Merv's career began to soar as a TV Host, competing with Johnny Carson.

One eventful day in 1971, Merv asked Murray if he'd consider moving to California to create a new Company. Murray accepted the towering challenge. The Company that he began, comprised of Merv, Murray and a secretary, became an extraordinarily successful Corporation: Merv Griffin Enterprises. Schwartz was named President and CEO. They produced Jeopardy, The Wheel of Fortune, Dance Fever, Headline Chasers and others. They owned the Celebrity Theater and Trans America Video, a production company that was housed on the entire block of Sunset and Vine, which they also owned. Their theater became the production home of other top shows. There were five radio stations and a racetrack television company. Schwartz literally invented Television Syndication by selling the shows market-by-market while the shows were also televised on the network. Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune are still on the air today with worldwide versions, as a result of Murray’s pioneering inventiveness.

Following a week of the Merv Griffin Show in Monte Carlo covering Princess Grace’s Tennis Tournament, Schwartz took a trip to Greece. On his way back to Paris, to catch up with his staff, Schwartz boarded Flight 139. It was hijacked to Entebbe, Africa by the PLO. That event was one of the great historical military feats, documented in the Raid on Entebbe and other books and films. It was also a life-changing experience for Schwartz.

Eventually, Murray and Merv sold their company to Coca Cola for a spectacular amount of money. Coca Cola later sold the company to Sony. Murray Schwartz had quite a run from the kid at the Red Mill, to his adventures with George Wood and Merv and famous stars and fascinating characters along the way. He did that all, while a bachelor father with his daughters. Jacquie Susanne signed her book, Valley of Dolls ...”look closely and you'll see Murray."

Murray released his book, Red Mill: It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish, in 2020 through Redwood Publishing. It is available on for sale nationwide.