Born in Amarillo, Texas, Jack Wrather became an oil "wildcatter" who eventually rose to the president of an oil company founded by his father. He later expanded his resources into real estate, hotels, motion pictures, and broadcast properties. Following service in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, Wrather relocated to California. where he diversified his holdings in the movie business, creating Jack Wrather Pictures, Inc.. and Freedom Productions. Between 1946 and 1955, Wrather produced feature films for Eagle Lion, Warner Brothers, Allied Artists, and United Artists. including The Guilty, High Tide, Perilous Waters, Strike It Rich, Guilty of Treason, The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold, The Magic of Lassie, and The Legend of the Lone Ranger.

     During the 1950s, Wrather, a true entrepreneur, established such television syndication services as Television Programs of America and Independent Television Corporation. He was also co-owner of television stations licensed to Wrather-Alvarez Broadcasting Company in Tulsa. Oklahoma. and San Diego and Bakersfield, California.

     Wrather is perhaps most noted for several of the television series he produced: The Lone  Ranger, Lassie, and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. These pro­grams, which were standards among early syndicated television offerings. served stations affiliated with networks as well as independent stations, and they demonstrated that formulaic, filmed entertainment could attract audiences while providing a resalable product. In many ways, Wrather's operations foreshadowed some of the most significant developments in the economic support structure for the next generation of television, a fact he obviously recognized.

     After paying $3 million to George W. Trendle for rights to The Lone Ranger. Wrather considered his purchase an important part of American history. The 221- episode half-hour western series. licensed through the years to ABC, CBS, and NBC. remains in syndication today. In the 1950s, Wrather also produced the popular weekly Lassie adventure series and 78 episodes of Sergeant Preston.

     Among other Wrather holdings were the ship Queen Mary and Howard Hughes's transport aircraft, the Spruce Goose. He also owned Disneyland Hotel and served as board director or board chair for Continental Airlines, TelePrompTer, Muzak. Inc., and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

     Wrather was among several prominent business executives who became members of Ronald Reagan's original transition committee when Reagan became president in 1981. Jack Wrather died of cancer in 1984 at age 66.