Alan William Landsburg (May 10, 1933 – August 13, 2014) was an American television writer, producer, and director. He was the founder and CEO of Alan Landsburg Productions and the Landsburg Company and was involved in producing over fifty movies of the week. He had over 2,000 hours of television production experience.[1]
Alan Landsburg | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alan William Landsburg May 10, 1933 White Plains, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 13, 2014 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Television producer, writer, director |
| Spouse(s) | Sally Landsburg (divorced) |
| Children | 3, including Valerie |
Biography
editEarly life
editAlan William Landsburg was born on May 10, 1933, in White Plains, New York.[2][3] His father was Harry Landsburg and his mother, Fannie (Koslowe) Landsburg.[3] He graduated from New York University with a degree in communications.[2] He was immediately drafted due to the Korean War and was assigned to the Army Radio Network as a writer-director.[2][4]
Career
editDrawing upon his experience at the Army Radio Network, he embarked upon a career in writing and directing television programs in Manhattan, later relocating to California in the 1960s.[2] From the early-1960s to the mid-1970s, he established himself as a documentary producer. His film, Kennedy, The First Thousand Days received a standing ovation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.[2][5] Along with David L. Wolper, he pioneered the television documentary series format.[2][6] His credits include:
- Biography – wrote, directed, and/or produced 65 episodes hosted by Mike Wallace.[2]
- National Geographic Specials
- The World of Jacques Cousteau[2] — Landsburg executive produced the first season of this landmark aquatic exploration documentary program that was later renamed The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
- Alaska Wilderness Lake[2] — A 1971 documentary that was nominated for an Academy Award.
- In Search of... — Launched in 1976, the series explored the paranormal and was hosted by Leonard Nimoy.
In 1980, he created one of the first reality shows, That's Incredible!.[2][7]
He was also a prolific executive producer of made-for-television movies, many of which were based on true stories and tackled important social issues.[8] Of note are:
- Bill -- Mickey Rooney won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Bill Sackter, who was institutionalized from the age of seven and struggles to re-integrate into society when he is released almost 45 years later.[2][9]
- Adam — Recounted the story of Adam Walsh, who was abducted from a Florida shopping center. The film brought attention to how kidnapped children were poorly tracked by federal government agencies. It prompted the formation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and led to the passage of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in July 2006. Because of his outspoken advocacy on behalf of missing and exploited children, Adam's father, John Walsh, has become a public figure, and is now perhaps best known as host of the Fox television show America's Most Wanted.
- The Ryan White Story[2] — Highlighted the discrimination faced by a young hemophiliac who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion and promoted tolerance for children afflicted by AIDS.
- A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story — focused on the lengths a mother would go to in order to protect her daughter, who she believed was sexually abused by her ex-husband.
His late wife, Linda Otto, produced and/or directed many of these socially relevant docudramas.
In 1970, he founded his own production company, Alan Landsburg Productions,[2] which later merged into the Reeves Entertainment Group. The situation comedies Gimme a Break! and Kate & Allie were produced under these companies' banners.[2] In 1985, he formed The Landsburg Company, in partnership with Cox Enterprises.[10] The Landsburg Company subsequently signed a deal with David Auerbach, former vice president and secretary of the ALP studio.[11]
Books
edit- 1974 In Search of Ancient Mysteries
- 1975 The Outer Space Connection
- 1976 In Search of Lost Civilizations ("In Search of Lost Civilisations" in the UK)
- 1976 In Search of Extraterrestrials
- 1977 In Search of Magic and Witchcraft
- 1977 In Search of Myths and Monsters
- 1977 In Search of Strange Phenomena
- 1978 In Search of Missing Persons
- 1978 Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle
- 1978 The Insects Are Coming
- 1978 Between the Wars
- 1978 In Search of Lost Civilizations, Extraterrestrials, Magic and Witchcraft, Strange Phenomena, Myths and Monsters (a "Best Of" compilation hardcover)
- 1979 Death Encounters (with Charles Fiore)
Horse racing
editHe retired from the television business in 2001 and pursued his love of horse racing full-time.[12] He owned, raced, and bred more than four hundred thoroughbreds from 1976 to 2014.[4]
A founding director of the Thoroughbred Owners of California,[2] he was the co-author of Handbook for Thoroughbred Owners of California.[13] In 2002, he served as a commissioner and chairman of the California Horse Racing Board.[1] He also served on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.[2]
Personal life
editHe married Sally (Breit) Landsburg.[3] They had three children: Valerie Landsburg, Shana Landsburg, Michael Landsburg.[2] They divorced.
He later remarried to Linda Otto, a producer of docudramas who died in 2004.[2][3] They resided in Beverly Hills, California.[2]
Death
editHe died from natural causes at his house in Beverly Hills, California on 13 August 2014 at the age of 81.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b California Horse Racing Board (Nov. 22, 2000). Governor Davis Appoints Member to the California Horse Racing Board, Press Release.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s John L. Seitz, 'Famed Emmy-Winning Producer, Thoroughbred Racing Executive Alan Landsburh Dies At Age 81', The Beverly Hills Courier, August 22, 2014 Volume XXXXVIIII, Number 34, p. 2 [1] Archived 2014-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Alan Landsburg biography (Film Reference)
- ^ a b Thoroughbred Owners of America, Board of Directors Archived 2006-11-21 at the Wayback Machine, 2007.
- ^ American Monsters Vanguard Archived 2007-02-02 at the Wayback Machine americanmonsters.com.
- ^ Time, (untitled editorial note), March 12, 1965.
- ^ Martha Smilgis, Incredible? Or Abominable?, Oct. 13, 1980.
- ^ Alan Landsburg at Yahoo! TV
- ^ John J. O'Connor, TV: After 46 Years in an Institution, TNew York Times, December 22, 1981
- ^ "New production company created by Cox, Landsburg" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1985-05-20. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
- ^ "New deal" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1985-12-02. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "Santanna, Green, Landsburg Added to NTRA Board", news.bloodhorse.com, April 24, 2006.
- ^ Gayle Van Leer Thoroughbred Services, Ownership 101
- ^ "Alan Landsburg dies at 81; Emmy-winning producer and leading horseman". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2015-09-15.