Morris Mirkin

Mirkin was born to a Jewish family^[1] in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of immigrants from Russia.^[2] Mirkin served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.^[2] In 1958, he opened the first Budget Rent-a-Car office at Wilshire and Robertson boulevards in Los Angeles.^[2] In 1960, he was joined by Jules Lederer and they incorporated the company as Budget Rent-a-Car Corporation.^[3] In 1968, they sold Budget to Transamerica Corporation.^[2]

Mirkin was a thoroughbred horse breeder with wins including the Hollywood Park Gold Cup and the All-American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.^[2]

Mirkin was married to Judith Carole Lindenberg on March 9, 1952, and they had three children; Jeffrey Randall Mirkin, Margaux Karen Mirkin and Mitchell Anthony Mirkin. They were divorced in 1976. Mirkin married Claudia Mirkin in 1978; she has four children.^[2] He died of cancer on June 27, 1985, at his home in Beverly Hills.^[2] Services were held at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.^[2]

Mirkin established the Morris Mirkin Foundation which was dedicated to helping children with learning disabilities.^[2]