Personal details
- Birth Date: 1913-06-14
- Professions: Set Decorator, Producer, Art Department
Jacque Mapes, born June 14, 1913, was one of those behind-the-scenes legends in Hollywood whose name you might not know offhand, but you’ve definitely seen his work. The guy had a knack for creating worlds on screen that just felt alive, you know? He’s probably best remembered for his role as set decorator on “Singin’ in the Rain”—yeah, that classic with Gene Kelly splashing around in puddles. Those vibrant sets? All Mapes. Not just that, he also lent his magic touch to “Airport” in 1970, one of those blockbuster disaster flicks that basically kicked off the whole genre. You can practically smell the ‘70s carpet and hear the engines whining just thinking about it. Mapes didn’t stop at just set decorating. He took on producing too, getting involved with “Arthur Hailey’s the Moneychangers” in 1976, which dove into the gritty underbelly of banking. He had this eye for detail that made every scene feel real, whether it was a glitzy musical or a tense boardroom showdown. Seriously, the guy understood atmosphere. He spent his career turning scripts into something you could actually walk through, and honestly, that takes serious skill—no CGI shortcuts back then. After decades of shaping movie magic, he passed away on May 4, 2002, in Beverly Hills. Even if his name isn’t plastered on billboards, Hollywood’s golden age wouldn’t have looked half as dazzling without him.
Ross Hunter wasn’t just some random name on a producer’s list—this guy was a real mover and shaker in Hollywood. He teamed up with some of the biggest names around, cranking out everything from Broadway-style plays to glitzy TV dramas and, of course, those big, glossy movies everyone remembers. We're talking about the sort of films your grandma probably watched with a bucket of popcorn, the kind packed with wild plot twists, glamorous stars, and enough melodrama to make your head spin. Hunter had a knack for choosing the right projects and the right people to work with (seriously, he had an eye for talent). He and his creative partners didn’t just make entertainment—they made cultural moments. You could almost feel the sparkle coming off the screen. If you’re into classic cinema, odds are you’ve stumbled across his work without even realizing it. That’s the kind of legacy he left behind.
June 14, 1913
Konidela Ram Charan
112 years old