Born in New York City in 1903, Hellinger decided as a young boy that he wanted to be a writer. He went to work for the New York Daily News in 1923. His "About Town" column, dealing with Broadway, became the most-read feature in the paper and was published across the country. He is known as American journalism's first Broadway reporter.

Hellinger later moved to Hollywood to become a motion picture writer-producer for Warner Productions. He moved on to Twentieth Century-Fox, then, as an independent producer, to Universal Pictures, which financed and distributed his films.

"The Naked City," considered by many to be Hellinger's finest film, and the first movie to be shot entirely in the streets of New York City, came out in 1947 and was hailed as one of the year's major films. Hellinger was in his heyday as a writer and producer and was about to establish his own studio. But he had lifelong heart issues and died later that same year, at the age of 44.

In spirit of determination and hard-earned success, traits that defined Hellinger, the Mark Hellinger Award honors the Jandoli School of Communication's top students and celebrates the continuing accomplishments of its graduates.

Winners of the Mark Hellinger Award, presented annually by the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University.

Winners of the Jandoli School of Communication's Alumna/Alumnus of the Year Award, part of the Hellinger Award celebration.