William Fox (1879-1952) began the Fox empire in 1904 with the purchase of a single nickelodeon located in Brooklyn, New York. By 1913 he was the most powerful independent exhibitor/distributor in the silent film business. Mr. Fox founded the Fox Film Corporation in 1915 and by 1927 he'd introduced sound on film which greatly enhanced the popularity of his Movietone News reels. The 1930 release of Fox's The Big Trail heralded the golden age of widescreen film.

The Fox Film Corporation merged with 20th Century in 1935 and has since been known as 20th Century Fox.