Bernard Joseph Schwab (Bernard Joseph Schwab)

Bernard Joseph Schwab

One of four brothers who founded the legendary Schwabs’s pharmacy on Sunset Boulevard. The Schwab brothers, in 1932, bought a failing drugstore and attached their name to it. The brothers began catering to Hollywood actors, writers and other film industry workers. The brothers opened charge accounts and cashed checks for actors before the became stars. The brothers also had a pager and special phone for incoming calls to service the movie clientele. Their business savvy paid off and Schwab’s Pharmacy became a Hollywood Hangout for decades. Hollywood siren Lana Turner was rumored to be discovered while sipping a drink at Schwabs counter. Leon Schwab insisted she was discovered there, but Lana Turner, claimed a scout spotted her at another establishment near Hollywood High School. Charlie Chaplin was a regular and was allowed to mix his own milkshakes. Judy Garland, Clark Gable, The Marx Brothers, Shelley Winters and Cesar Romero were frequent patrons. Bernard, Leon, Jack and Martin owned six pharmacies at one point. However, Schwab’s Pharmacy on Sunset Boulevard was the best known and longest to survive. The pharmacy closed in 1983. Unfortunately, the building was razed to make way for a shopping complex. (bio by: Shelly Stager)

Born

  • April, 04, 1909
  • USA

Died

  • March, 03, 2003
  • USA

Cemetery

  • Hillside Memorial Park
  • California
  • USA

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