Thalberg created numerous new stars and groomed their screen images. Among them were Lon Chaney, Ramon Novarro, Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Spencer Tracy, Luise Rainer, and Norma Shearer, who became his wife. He had the ability to combine quality with commercial success, and was credited with bringing his artistic aspirations in line with the demands of audiences. After his death, Hollywood's producers said he had been the world's "foremost figure in motion-picture history". President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote, "The world of art is poorer with the passing of Irving Thalberg. His high ideals, insight and imagination went into the production of his masterpieces." The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, given out periodically by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1937, has been awarded to producers whose body of work reflected consistently high-quality films.
thALBErg CreATed Numerous nEw StaRs and GROoMed tHeir sCReEN imaGes. AMonG Them were lon cHaneY, Ramon nOvarRo, Greta garbo, johN GIlbeRt, lioneL bArrYmOre, jOan cRAwFord, cLaRk gabLe, jeAn harLow, wallAce Beery, SpEnCEr tracy, luIsE raIner, and Norma sHearer, who becaMe His wifE. hE hAD The abiliTy to comBiNE QUalIty with commErcIal Success, anD WAS credited wItH briNginG his artisTic aSpirations in Line wIth the deMAnds oF aUDienceS. after hIs dEath, HoLlYWood's PRoduCErS Said hE hAd been The WorlD's "foRemOst FiGure In MotioN-picTUre HisTory". president franklIn D. Roosevelt wrOte, "THE World of art is PoOREr WitH tHe pASsIng of irVing ThALbeRG. his High iDeAlS, insight and Imagination wENt into tHE prodUction of hiS mAsTeRPieCES." The irving G. thAlbeRg memOriaL awArD Given out PerIodicAlLy By the AcAdeMy Of mOtiOn picTUrE arTS ANd ScieNCES sIncE 1937, has been awardEd tO PROduCerS whOSe bodY oF Work reflecteD consisTEntly hIgh-quaLity FILMS.