Adam Kessel, Jr. (1866–1946) was a film company executive. He partnered with

Charles Baumann Charles O. Baumann (January 20, 1874 – July 18, 1931) was an American film producer, film studio executive, and pioneer in the motion picture industry. Biography Career He was a partner in the Crescent Film Company formed in 1908 and in ...

in a series of film distribution and production companies. Kessel was one of the founders of the

New York Motion Picture Company The New York Motion Picture Company was a film production and distribution company from 1909 until 1914. It changed names to New York Picture Corporation in 1912. It released films through several different brand names, including 101 Bison, Kay ...

in 1909. The Kay-Bee brand was based on Kessel and Baumann's last names. Bauman and Kessel partnered with

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American producer, director, actor, and studio head who was known as the "King of Comedy" during his career. Born in Danville, Quebec, he started acting i ...

and Thomas Ince, as well as Adam's brother Charles Kessel, sharing ownership of the newly established

Keystone Film Company Keystone Studios was an early film studio founded in Edendale, California (which is now a part of Echo Park) on July 4, 1912 as the Keystone Pictures Studio by Mack Sennett with backing from actor-writer Adam Kessel (1866–1946) and Charl ...

in 1912. The four major players also partnered on Alco Film Corporation and the group joined with

Harry Aitken Harry E. Aitken (October 4, 1877August 1, 1956) was an American film studio executive and producer. Life He was born on October 4, 1877. He grew up on a family farm near Goerke's Corners, Wisconsin. The brothers operated Keystone Studios and ...

to form

Triangle Film Corporation Triangle Film Corporation (also known as Triangle Motion Picture Company) was a major American motion-picture studio, founded in July 1915 in Culver City, California and terminated 7 years later in 1922. History The studio was founded in Jul ...

. He died in

Keeseville, New York Keeseville is a hamlet (New York), hamlet (and census-designated place) in Clinton County, New York, Clinton and Essex County, New York, Essex counties, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 1,815 at the 2010 census. The ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kessel, Adam 1866 births 1946 deaths American film production company founders American film studio executives