Frank Mankiewicz
Frank Fabian Mankiewicz II (May 16, 1924 – October 23, 2014) was an American journalist, political adviser, president of National Public Radio and public relations executive.
Life and career
Frank Mankiewicz grew up in Beverly Hills, California, the son of Sara (Aaronson) and screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, who co-wrote Citizen Kane. His uncle, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, directed such films as All About Eve and Cleopatra. His brother was television writer Don Mankiewicz. They grew up near the Marx Brothers, and Harpo Marx was a presence at Mankiewicz family Seders. “He would pick up the Paschal lamb bone and lead a parade around the table,” Frank Mankiewicz recalled.
He briefly attended Haverford College before dropping out to join the army infantry during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war, Mankiewicz received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from University of California, Los Angeles in 1947; a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1948; and an LL.B. from University of California, Berkeley in 1955. He had been president of National Public Radio, regional director for the Peace Corps in Latin America, presidential campaign press secretary in 1968 to Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y, and campaign director for 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern.
