The Resume

(July 23, 1891-February 27, 1958)
Born in New York City, New York
Co-founder and president of Columbia Pictures (1923-58)

Why he might be annoying:

He reportedly borrowed the money to buy out his partners from mobster Abner Zwillman.
He admired Mussolini and kept a signed picture of the dictator on his desk until World War II broke out.
One employee said he ran the studio 'like a police state.'
He was a major exploiter of the casting couch.
He said, 'I don't have ulcers, I give them.'
Although he was Jewish, he responded to an appeal from a Jewish relief agency with, 'How about relief from the Jews! All the trouble in this world is caused by Jews and Irishmen.'
At his well-attended funeral, Red Skelton commented, 'It proves what Harry always said: Give the public what they want, and they'll come out for it.'

Why he might not be annoying:

Although he would yell and swear at directors and actors in his office all day, he was charming and gracious to them at social events after work.
He considered The Three Stooges good luck charms and kept them on the studio payroll until 1957, even as the short film market dried up.
Broderick Crawford's performances in 'All the King's Men' and 'Born Yesterday' (both Columbia releases) were reportedly based on Cohn's brash style.
While he ran Columbia, the studio never finished a year in the red.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 16]
• Connected - Alleged Mob Ties
• E!'s Mysteries and Scandals
• Film Pioneers [Silent Era]
• I am an Adulterer
• I Did Not Graduate High School [C-E]
• I Died in 1958 (Ranked: 66)
• I Probably Banged Marilyn Monroe
• I'm Buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery [Calif]
• Movie Moguls
• People with Tom, Dick or Harry in their Names
• Profiles 24251-24500 (Ranked: 24306)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 54 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 34 Votes: 70.59% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 57 Votes: 70.18% Annoying