Conversation so far:
What was Irving Thalberg's role at Universal Studios?
office secretary.
What year was he hired in this role?
CANNOTANSWER.
Was he ever promoted during his time with Universal?
later became personal secretary to the studio's founder and president, Carl Laemmle.
What did he do after becoming Laemmle's secretary?
Laemmle told him to take charge of the Los Angeles studio, which he did in early 1919.

Question: Was he successful running the LA studio?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Thalberg successful running the LA studio?