Back مجنون مونتز Arabic مجنون مونتز ARZ Earl William Muntz German Madman Muntz Spanish مدمن مونتز Persian Earl Muntz Finnish Madman Muntz French Madman Muntz Malagasy Madman Muntz Portuguese Мюнц, Эрл Russian
Madman Muntz | |
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 Muntz in one of his many television advertisement performances | |
| Born | Earl William Muntz January 3, 1914 Elgin, Illinois, US |
| Died | June 21, 1987 (aged 73) |
| Occupations |
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Earl William "Madman" Muntz (January 3, 1914 – June 21, 1987)[1] was an American businessman and engineer who sold and promoted cars and consumer electronics in the United States from the 1930s until his death in 1987. He was a pioneer in television commercials with his oddball "Madman" persona; an alter ego who generated publicity with his unusual costumes, stunts, and outrageous claims. Muntz also pioneered car stereos[1] by creating the Muntz Stereo-Pak, better known as the 4-track cartridge, a predecessor to the 8-track cartridge developed by Lear Industries.[2]
He invented the practice that came to be known as Muntzing, which involved simplifying otherwise complicated electronic devices. Muntz produced and marketed the first black-and-white television receivers to sell for less than $100, and created one of the earliest functional widescreen projection TVs.[3] He was credited with coining the abbreviation "TV" for television,[4] although the term had earlier been in use in call letters for stations such as WCBS-TV. A high school dropout,[5] Muntz made fortunes by selling automobiles, TV receivers, and car stereos and tapes.[6] A 1968 Los Angeles Times article noted that in one year he sold $72 million worth of cars; five years later he sold $55 million worth of TV receivers, and in 1967 he sold $30 million worth of car stereos and tapes.[1]
After his success as a used car salesman and with Kaiser-Frazer dealerships in Los Angeles and New York City,[1][7] Muntz founded the Muntz Car Company, which made the "Muntz Jet", a sports car with jet-like contours. The car was manufactured between 1951 and 1953, although fewer than 400 were produced.
Muntz married seven times.[8] His wives included actress Joan Barton (who appeared in Angel and the Badman with John Wayne) and Patricia Stevens of the Patricia Stevens finishing schools.[9] Phyllis Diller was among his many girlfriends. He was friends with celebrities such as singer Rudy Vallee, comedian Jerry Colonna, actor Bert Lahr,[6] television presenter Dick Clark, and cowboy actor Gene Autry.[8]
- ^ a b c d "Earl Muntz is dead; as radio 'Madman,' he sold used cars". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 21, 1987. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (April 11, 2008). "Whatever happened to 8-track's 'four'runner?". Goldmine.
- ^ Robert C. Post (October 2005). "Henry Kaiser, Troy Ruttman, and Madman Muntz: three originals". Technology and Culture. 46 (4). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISSN 0040-165X.
- ^ Erskine, Chris (June 21, 2006). "And the pitch is ... wild". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
- ^ Zaloudek, Mark (March 13, 2005). "Madcap millionaire Muntz". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ^ a b Walker, Janelle (February 7, 2005). "First 'crazy' car dealer focus of movie". Sun-Times News Group, (Illinois Courier News).
- ^ "Muntz Car Co. to handle Graham-Paige products". The New York Times. October 10, 1946. p. 41.
- ^ a b Turnquist, Jerry (July 17, 2005). "A one-in-a-million 'Madman' movie spotlights Elgin's Earl Muntz, quintessential entrepreneur". Daily Herald.
- ^ "Mad Man Muntz weds model agency director". Los Angeles Times. January 29, 1956. p. 35.
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