Born in New York City, he attended Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey. He began his film career as an employee at Universal Studios office in New York then made his Hollywood filmmaking debut in 1947 as an assistant director. He worked as a producer for the first time in 1953 and a year later made his directing debut. In 1964, Paramount Pictures appointed him head of film production, a position he held until 1966 when he left to set up his own production company.
Together with actor Telly Savalas, Howard Koch owned Telly's Pop, winner of several important California races for juveniles including the Norfolk Stakes and Del Mar Futurity.
Howard W. Koch suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died Los Angeles in 2001. He had two children from a marriage of 64 years and in 2004 his son Hawk Koch was elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences's Board of Governors.