Leonard B. Stern

Leonard B. Stern
Born Leonard Bernard Stern
December 23, 1923
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died June 7, 2011(2011-06-07) (aged 87)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation Publisher, director, writer, producer
Years active 1949–2000
Spouse(s) Julie Adams
(m. 1951; div. 1953)
Gloria Stroock
(m. 1956; his death 2011)
Children 2

Leonard Bernard Stern (December 23, 1923 – June 7, 2011) was an American screenwriter, film and television producer, director, and one of the creators, with Roger Price, of the classic word game Mad Libs.[1][2]

Life and career

Stern was born in New York City.[1] He studied at New York University.[1] Stern was a successful television writer who wrote for such now classic series such as Get Smart, The Honeymooners, The Phil Silvers Show,[1] The Steve Allen Show[1] and Tonight Starring Steve Allen.

Stern was also a writer for the 1952 Danny Thomas and Peggy Lee version of The Jazz Singer and several Abbott and Costello films, among others. In the 1970s, he produced and directed the TV series McMillan & Wife, which starred Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James.[2]

Stern was the senior vice president of Price Stern Sloan (PSS). In 2000, after Price's death, Stern and another partner, Larry Sloan, launched another publishing company, Tallfellow Press, and acquired the rights to Droodles. Stern co-wrote, with Diane L. Robinson, A Martian Wouldn't Say That (2000), a compilation of actual memos and notes from television executives.

Death

On June 7, 2011, Stern died of heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills, California, aged 87.[1] He was survived by his wife of 55 years, actress Gloria Stroock, as well as a son, daughter, two grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.[1]

Selected film and television credits

Producer
Writer
Director

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fox, Margalit (June 9, 2011). "Leonard B. Stern, Creator of Mad Libs, Dies at 88". The New York Times.
  2. 1 2 Penguin Group website


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