Arthur Lubin

Best known as the creator of the sitcom "Mister Ed," Arthur Lubin grew up near the hub of the burgeoning film medium. He first broke into the industry as an actor in silent films in 1924. He appeared in films over the next five years before making the leap to director in 1934 with "A Successful Failure." Then, he created his own film and music studio, Lubin Studios, and steadily built his reputation as a director. By the '40s, he was directing a number of Abbott and Costello comedy movies including, "Buck Privates," "In the Navy," and "Hold That Ghost." In 1943, he directed his biggest box office success, the horror classic, "Phantom of the Opera." In the '50s, Lubin directed a number of films featuring "Francis the Talking Mule." He brought the concept to television in 1958 with the show about a talking horse named "Mister Ed." After the series' successful eight-year run, Lubin continued working in television until he retired in 1981. He lived out the rest of his days with his life partner, Frank Burford. Lubin died age 96.