Oliver Unger, who began his 46-year career in motion-pictures in the film import and export business and later became a producer, exhibitor and distributor, died in his sleep on Friday in the Los Angeles home of his lifelong friend and associate, Ely Landau. Mr. Unger lived in Los Angeles and was 66 years old.

At his death, Mr. Unger was organizing the foreign distribution of the film ''The Chosen,'' as part of ''Celebration 33,'' a multimillion-dollar benefit for education in Israel.

Since 1946, when he created Distinguished Films to distribute foreign movies, Mr. Unger had founded a variety of organizations in the film and television industries. One, National Telefilm Associates, was reportedly the largest television syndicating and television-owning company in the United States. During Mr. Unger's tenure as president, National Telefilm owned Channel 13 in New York, then known as WNTA. Pioneer in Pay TV

He organized Snader Telescriptions, a television syndication company; Unger Productions, and brought, through the Home Entertainment Company of America, the first pay-television service to California.

Mr. Landau and Mr. Unger were associated in, among other productions, ''The Pawnbroker,'' ''Long Day's Journey Into Night,'' ''The Mad Woman of Chaillot'' and ''Umbrellas of Cherbourg.''

Mr. Unger's production in 1947 of ''The Roosevelt Story'' won the world Peace Prize in 1948 and the Unger-Landau documentary, ''The Eleanor Roosevelt Story,'' won an Academy Award in 1966

At various times, Mr. Unger owned a number of New York theaters, among them, the Fine Arts, Little Carnegie, Cinema Rendezvous, Studio and in the Bronx, the Lido

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons, Anthony and Stephen; three daughters, Meryl, Olivia, and Victoria; two brothers, Paul and Irvin, and a grandson, David.

He was an award-winning film producer, distributor, and exhibitor who participated in every phase of the motion picture business including production, distribution, marketing, promotion, and exhibition during a 45-year career. He was also a television producer and owner of movie theaters and television stations throughout the United States.


Filmography As Producer

The Roosevelt Story (1947)

Coast of Skeletons (1964)

Mozambique (1964)

Face of Fu Manchu (1965)

Sandy the Seal (1969)

Force 10 from Navarone (1978)



Filmography As Executive Producer, Presenter, Distributor, or Other

City Lights (1931)

Modern Times (1936)

Long Day's Journey into Night (1962)

The Pawnbroker (1964)

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

Eleanor Roosevelt Story (1965)

Ten Little Indians (1965)

Our Man in Marrakesh (1966)

The Battle of Neretva (1969)

The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969)

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)

I Love You Rosa (1972)

The Day That Shook the World (1975)