Morris Mirkin


Morris "Morey" Mirkin was an American businessman who founded Budget Rent-a-Car.

Biography

Mirkin was born to a Jewish family in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of immigrants from Russia. Mirkin served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. In 1958, he opened the first Budget Rent-a-Car office at Wilshire and Robertson boulevards in Los Angeles. In 1960, he was joined by Jules Lederer and they incorporated the company as Budget Rent-a-Car Corporation. In 1968, they sold Budget to Transamerica Corporation.
Mirkin was a thoroughbred horse breeder with wins including the Hollywood Park Gold Cup and the All-American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

Personal life

Mirkin was married to Claudia Mirkin; he has seven children. He died of cancer on June 27, 1985 at his home in Beverly Hills. Services were held at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mirkin established the Morris Mirkin Foundation which was dedicated to helping children with learning disabilities.