Howard W. Koch

Howard Winchel Koch (April 11, 1916 – February 16, 2001) was an American film producer and director. He served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and as head of film production at Paramount Pictures, and directed and produced numerous films, including The Manchurian Candidate (1962), The Odd Couple (1968), Airplane! (1980) and its 1982 sequel, and Ghost (1990). At the 62nd Academy Awards, he was honored the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his "outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes".

He also received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, three of which were for producing Academy Awards ceremonies. Koch was the father of film producer Hawk Koch, and the great-grandfather of actor Cooper Koch and film editor Payton Koch.