Jerome Epstein

Jerome Leonard Epstein (January 17, 1922 – November 16, 1991) was an American director, screenwriter and producer known for his nearly 30-year professional collaboration and friendship with Charlie Chaplin and his son Sydney Chaplin.

Epstein was born on January 17, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio. Epstein's father had come to America in 1905 to escape anti-Jewish pogroms in Vilkomir, Lithuania. Epstein's childhood was spent in Brooklyn, New York. During World War II, Epstein served in the Army Air Corps.

After his military service, Epstein used the GI Bill to study drama at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where he met Sydney Chaplin, the second son of English actor Charlie Chaplin. After UCLA, his first job was as road manager for close harmony singing group The Andrews Sisters.

In 1946, Epstein, Sydney Chaplin, actress Kathleen Freeman, and several UCLA students founded the Circle Theatre, now known as El Centro Theatre, in Hollywood. The troupe's first performances were held in a living room, but later moved to a converted corner store.

The theater became a meeting place for Hollywood's avant-garde. Contemporary comedic actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, and Fanny Brice attended shows at the theater. Katharine Hepburn, George Cukor, and Edward G. Robinson were also frequent visitors. Chaplin was an enthusiastic supporter of the theater. He attended Sydney's performances in Elmer Rice's play The Adding Machine and also directed his son in three pr…