Norman Levy, 67; Fox Chairman Turned Offbeat Films Into Hits

Norman Levy, 67, former vice chairman of 20th Century Fox who was known for acquiring offbeat films such as the raucous teenage comedy “Porky’s” and turning them into box office hits, died of cancer Sept. 17 at his home in Woodland Hills.

Born in New York, Levy began his career in the sales department at Universal Pictures in the Midwest in 1957.

He joined National General Pictures in 1968 as sales manager, and was responsible for distributing Cinema Center Films such as “Little Big Man.”

In 1974, he became president of distribution at Columbia Pictures, where he helped reverse the studio’s sagging fortunes by acquiring independent movies such as “You Light Up My Life,” “The Lords of Flatbush” and “When A Stranger Calls.”

He was named president of 20th Century Fox Entertainment in 1980, heading worldwide distribution and marketing of all Fox movies.

Later, as Fox’s vice chairman, he was responsible for the development, production and distribution of the company’s annual slate of films, and continued to champion offbeat movies such as “Porky’s,” which Fox turned into a billion-dollar franchise.

He resigned from the studio in 1984.