Charles Skouras

Charles P. Skouras (; ; 1889–1954) was an American movie executive and president of Fox West Coast, born in Skourohorion, Greece. He and his two brothers, George Skouras and Spyros Skouras, came from Greece as poor sons of a sheep herder who rose to become top movie executives.

Survived by his grandson, Charles P. Skouras III a film and television producer known for shows such as Desperate Housewives and iconic films including The Abyss, Free Willy, and That Thing You Do. His great-grandson Charles P. Skouras IV is an entertainment agent at the Murtha Skouras Agency, representing multiple award-winning producers, cinematographers, production designers, and editors for film and television.

Life and career The Skouras brothers arrived in St. Louis in 1908–11 from Greece. Living frugally on wages as busboys and bartenders in downtown hotels, they pooled their savings of $3500 in 1914 and in partnership with two other Greeks, they constructed a modest nickelodeon at 1420 Market Street on the site of today's Kiel Opera House. This initial property, named the Olympia, was quickly followed by the acquisition of other theaters.

The brothers incorporated in 1924 with $400,000 capital stock. By then more than thirty local theaters belonged to the Skouras Brothers Co. of St. Louis. The biggest moment for the Skouras empire came when their dream of building a world-class movie palace in downtown St. Louis was grandly realized in 1926 when the $5.5 million Ambassador Theatre Building opened (this theater re-opened in 1939 as the New Fox Theatre). In 1928 the brothers sold their theatre chain to Warner Brothers but continued to manage the theatres. Following the Wall Street crash of 1929, they lost their fortune.

In 1931, they acquired a bankrupt theatre chain in New York and became successful again. In 1933, Charles moved to Los Angeles and assumed control of Fox West-Coast Theatres. In 1942, he became president of National Theatres. his fifth and died at Cedars of Lebanon hospital in Hollywood on October 22. The funeral service was held at the church he built.