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William Self, Who Ran TV Production at 20th Century-Fox When it Created “MASH”, Dies at 89

Nov 19, 2010  •  Post A Comment

William Self, who was in charge of television production at 20th Century-Fox in the 1960s and early 1970s when it created shows such as "MASH," has died, reports the Los Angeles Times. He was 89. 

Self died Monday after suffering a heart attack on Nov. 11, the story says. Self was a former movie actor who moved behind the camera in the 1950s, producing the "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" for four years. After producing "The Frank Sinatra Show," which was on TV from 1957-58, Self became the director of development at CBS, where his first pilot was for "The Twilight Zone." He jumped to 20th Century-Fox Television in 1959, where he spent 15 years and was responsible for 44 television series including "Daniel Boone," "Lost in Space" and "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir," the article notes. One of the biggest hits from 20th Century-Fox Television in the 1960s was the campy "Batman," which starred Adam West as the title hero.

After leaving Fox in 1974, he joined with Mike Frankovich to create Frankovich-Self Productions, which produced both TV pilots and movies, including John Wayne’s final film, "The Shootist," the story notes. In 1977, he returned to CBS as vice president/head of the West Coast, and became the VP in charge of television movies and miniseries the next year. After becoming president of CBS Theatrical Film Production in 1982, he then created William Self Productions. In partnership with Norman Rosemont, he produced a number of movies for TV’s "Hallmark Hall of Fame," including "Sarah, Plain and Tall," the story notes.

He is survived by a daughter and son, his sister, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren, the article notes.

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