Alan Landsburg

Alan William Landsburg
Born May 10, 1933
White Plains, New York
Died August 13, 2014 (aged 81)
Beverly Hills, California
Occupation Television producer/writer/director
Spouse(s) Sally Landsburg (divorced); Linda Otto (deceased, 2004)
Children Valerie Landsburg, Shana Landsburg, Michael Landsburg
Parent(s) Harry Landsburg
Fannie (Koslowe) Landsburg

Alan William Landsburg (May 10, 1933 – August 13, 2014) was an American television writer, producer, and director. He was the founder and CEO of the Landsburg Company and was involved in producing over fifty movies of the week. He had over 2000 hours of television production experience.[1]

Biography

Early life

Alan 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

Drawing 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-70's, 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 Wolper, he pioneered the television documentary series format.[2][6] His credits include:

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:

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.

Horse racing

He retired from the television business in 2001 and pursued his love of horse racing full-time.[10] 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.[11] 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

He 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

He died on August 13, 2014.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 California Horse Racing Board (Nov. 22, 2000). Governor Davis Appoints Member to the California Horse Racing Board, Press Release.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 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
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Alan Landsburg biography (Film Reference)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Thoroughbred Owners of America, Board of Directors, 2007.
  5. American Monsters Vanguard americanmonsters.com.
  6. Time, (untitled editorial note), March 12, 1965.
  7. Martha Smilgis, Incredible? Or Abominable?, Oct. 13, 1980.
  8. Alan Landsburg at Yahoo! TV
  9. John J. O'Connor, TV: After 46 Years in an Institution, TNew York Times, December 22, 1981
  10. "Santanna, Green, Landsburg Added to NTRA Board", news.bloodhorse.com, April 24, 2006.
  11. Gayle Van Leer Thoroughbred Services, Ownership 101

External links