Biography for
Norman Bel Geddes More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

21 April 1893, Adrian, Michigan, USA

Date of Death

8 May 1958, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name

Norman Melancton Geddes

Mini Biography

Influential American theater, film and industrial designer, Mr. Geddes added "Bel" to his surname as a theatrical flourish. "Bel" was in fact his wife's given name. He was the father of stage, screen and television actress Barbara Bel Geddes. A stage designer in early years in the theater, he designed over 200 Broadway productions. Also one of our leading industrial designers during the 1920s through the 1940s, he influenced the design of major automobiles, railroads, furniture, and hotels. A most notable design was his famous "Futurama" exhibit for this country's memorable New York World's Fair of 1939.

IMDb Mini Biography By: (Douglas E. Sand) sanddoug@aol.com

Spouse

Edith Lutyens	(7 June 1953 - 8 May 1958) (his death)
Anne Howe Hilliard	(20 November 1944 - ?) (divorced)
Frances Resor Waite	(1933 - ?) (divorced)
Helen Belle Sneider	(18 March 1916 - 1925) (divorced) 2 children

Trivia

Father of actress Barbara Bel Geddes.

His first child Joan, elder sister of Barbara Bel Geddes, was born on 2 December 1916. She later worked as researcher in her father's company.

His revolutionary vision as a set designer let to a collaboration with Max Reinhardt in the theatrical production of "The Miracle".

Personal Quotes

[on Cecil B. DeMille] "Never have I seen a man with so pre-eminent a position splash so fondly about in mediocrity, and, like a child building a sand castle, so serenely convinced that he was producing works of art."