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Photo of Hal Roach

Photo: Anonymous photographer, not identified anywhere / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Hal Roach

American film producer

January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992 · Elmira, New York, United States

  • New York
  • film producer
  • actor
  • film director

Hal Roach was born on January 14, 1892 in Elmira, New York, United States. Hal Roach was listed as a film producer, actor and film director. Death is recorded on November 2, 1992, at the age of 100. Awards on record include Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, Comedy (1932), Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, One-Reel (1937), star on Hollywood Walk of Fame and 1 more.

My Take

Hal Roach fascinates me as one of cinema's great enablers. He didn't chase the spotlight himself; he built the machinery that made Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and Our Gang into beloved institutions. Living to 100 and working from the 1910s into the 1990s, he is practically a living timeline of American comedy. I see him as the industrial architect of laughter, a producer who understood that consistent craft and the right talent matter more than any single genius. His Honorary Oscar barely captures the influence. Roach deserves to be remembered as a founding father of screen comedy.

1. Profile

Name (English)
Hal Roach
Name (Japanese)
ハル・ローチ
Reading
はる・ろーち
Born
January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Capricorn / Dragon
Origin
Elmira, New York, United States
Occupation
film producer / actor / film director / screenwriter / director

2. Background

Awards & achievements

  • 1932 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, Comedy
  • 1937 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, One-Reel
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • 1984 Academy Honorary Award

4. About this entry

Tags

  • New York
  • film producer
  • actor
  • film director
Last updated
2026-06-21

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was Hal Roach born?

Born January 14, 1892.

When did Hal Roach die?

Died November 2, 1992, aged 100.

Where was Hal Roach from?

Hal Roach was from Elmira, New York, United States.

What did Hal Roach do?

Hal Roach worked as film producer, actor, film director, screenwriter, director.

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