Hal Gessner (born May 22, 1948 in New York City, New York) is an Emmy Award-winning American television producer. He was a producer and director for Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous before becoming the executive producer of the Saturday edition of The Early Show on CBS from 1997 to 2002.[1] Gessner is the creator of the Chef on a Shoestring segment which was turned into a best-selling cookbook.
He is the creator and producer of Stunt Junkies and "FutureCar" on The Discovery Channel and other network shows developed by CBS Eye Too Productions.[2]
Gessner has collaborated on two documentary films covering the September 11 Attacks. He was the executive editor of 9/11, shot by the Naudet brothers and narrated by Robert De Niro. The film won the primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special in 2002.[3] Gessner also received a Christopher Award[4] and a Peabody Award[5] for his work on the film.
In 2006, Gessner executive produced Dust to Dust: The Health Effects of 9/11, which documented the respiratory problems of 9/11 rescue workers. The film aired on the Sundance Channel and was narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, a former New York City firefighter.