Anecdotes

Uncle of actor Leslie Nielsen and Erik Nielsen.

In 1939 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science honored Hersholt for his work as head of the Motion Picture Relief Fund. This helped to support industry employees with medical care when they were down on their luck and was used to create the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. This led to the creation in 1956 of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian an honorary Academy Award given to an "individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.".

He was awarded two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for Motion Pictures at 6501 Hollywood Blvd. and for Radio at 6701 Hollywood Blvd.

President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 1945-1949.

Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, CA, just outside the Great Mausoleum.

Father of Allan Hersholt, who also acted under the name "Jean Hersholt Jr.".

Ex-father-in-law of Osa Massen.