About

Potential Historic-Cultural Monument

Wallace Neff, architect.

Laurence W. Beilenson, who lived here in 1940, was an attorney who helped found four major Hollywood trade unions, and whose ideas about communism and nuclear diplomacy were quoted by President Reagan who became a friend. Beilenson helped to found the Screen Actors Guild, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. As SAG’s legal counsel, he wrote its first constitution and bylaws, and in 1937 structured and negotiated SAG’s first contract with film producers. In 1988, SAG presented Beilenson with the Ralph Morgan Award for distinguished service. “SAG wouldn’t be here today without him,” guild President Patty Duke said. The Arkansas-born Beilenson, a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, worked closely with Ronald Reagan who was an early SAG president and Beilenson’s attorney. (Source: Los Angeles Times Obituary, July 1, 1988).

1940 Census:
1946 Gramercy Place (Value $25,000): 1) Laurence W. Beilenson, head of household; white married male 40 years of age; born in Arkansas; attorney, criminal law. 2) Gerda M. Beilenson, wife; white married female 36 years of age; born in Minnesota; not working. 3) Alfonzo E. Rutledge, servant; Negro married male 39 years of age; born in Tennessee; houseman, private home; earns $600. 4) Sara C. Rutledge, servant; Negro married female 40 years of age; born in Louisiana; maid, private home; earns $1,430.

Full address: May be 1958 Gramercy Place.