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1 of 1977 John Murdock

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Name	Murdock, John
Born	1867
Birthplace	Scotland
Places of residence	Emigrated to the U.S. in 1879 Worked in Cincinnati before moving to Chicago in the 1890s Built 550 Center Ave. circa 1905 Lived in the New York are (Larchmont) in 1913. Moved to Los Angeles (Beverly Hill) in 1928.
Nationality	Scottish
Occupation	Vaudville and Movie Producer Worked as a stagehand and organized a stock theater company in Cincinnati. Managed successful vaudeville and motion picture productions in Chicago at the top of the Masonic Temple and at the Opera House. Murdock was one of the founders and general manager of Keith-Albee-Orpheum Vaudeville and Theater chain empire. The RKO movie studio (Radio-Kennedy-Orpheum) was formed in 1928 by a merger of the Keith-Albee-Orpheum chain, Joseph Kennedy's Film Booking Offices, and Radio Corporation of America, or RCA. - Murdock was RKOs first president and later chairman. Murdock became a philanthropist after retirement, donating millions to cancer research.
Role	Actor
Relationships	William Sleeper (brother-in-law)
Spouse	Grace Akass - m. June 21, 1900
Children	Two Children
Notes	Murdock's Lake Bluff home contained a stage and lighting fixtures for productions. Served as Lake Bluff treasurer in the late 1900s. According to Lake Bluff Chat issue of December 24, 1910, Murdock donated funds for a Lake Bluff Volunteer Fire Department club room, which contained a kitchen and 500 books. The fire chief wanted to name the room The Murdock Pleasure Club. Employed his brother-in-law, William Sleeper, in his theater business.

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    Record Type: Photo

    
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    Martha Sleeper

    Record Type: Photo

    
19. Scene on Center Ave. 550 Center - Black & White photo of Center and Maple. Known as the John Murdock House. 550 East Center Avenue was built in 1905.

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    Record Type: Photo