George Schlatter

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George Schlatter (b. December 31, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama) is a television producer and executive producer.

Throughout his career, Schlatter has produced television series and as well as specials. He broke through by creating and producing such series as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In in 1968 and Real People back in 1979. Over the years, Schlatter has received numerous awards including that included Producers Guild Man of the Year Award, Directors Guild Award, International Radio & Television Man of the Year Award, Television Critics Awards, Golden Globe Awards, three Image Awards, and twenty-five Emmy Award nominations, taking home five. At the Television Academy's 25th Anniversary, they honored him for his outstanding contribution to television.

He then received his own "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. Three years later, he was honored with a tribute dinner for his showmanship and involvement to so many charitable causes. This event was held by Paul Newman and Frank Sinatra at the Scott Newman Center. When 1996 came along, the Museum of Television & Radio made a special tribute to him for his contributions on television.

Not only working on television but Schlatter himself established the American Comedy Awards, an annual televised event designed to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of comedic actors and performers. He once said:

"Of all the work I've done, I am perhaps most proud of my involvement in the early careers of performers like Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Rosanne, Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and others who have gone on to greater heights. Working with stars is rewarding, but helping to create stars is the most fulfilling of all accomplishments".^{[citation needed]}

Schlatter became a veteran on the television network of over thirty years. He produced the first five years of the Grammy Awards series, which starred many celebrities which included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Eddie Murphy, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Doris Day, Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Shirley MacLaine, Bill Cosby, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, and Nat King Cole.

In 1995, in honor of Frank Sinatra's milestone eightieth birthday, which is unheard of for a celebrity during the Golden Age of musicals to survive, Schlatter had produced the Emmy-winning Special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way. His was credited in the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards, The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, the American Film Institute Salute to Dustin Hoffman and to Harrison Ford, The 54th Presidential Inaugural Opening Ceremonies and Muhammad Ali's 60th Birthday Celebration.

Recently, Schlatter’s daughter, Maria S. Schlatter, continue the television family legacy. She is also an Emmy Award winner.