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Emmy-Winning Producer Dead at 81

Aug 19, 2014  •  Post A Comment

An Emmy-winning TV writer, producer and director who was behind a string of telefilms and uscripted programs has died. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Alan Landsburg, known for “That’s Incredible!” and “In Search of …,” among many other TV projects, died Thursday of natural causes in his Beverly Hills home. He was 81.

Nominated five times for Emmys, Landsburg won for executive producing the 1970 Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilm “A Storm in Summer,” which was written by Rod Serling, the story notes. In 1972, he was nominated for an Oscar for the documentary “Alaska Wilderness Lake.”

He often tapped into real social issues to explore in his telefilms, such as 1981’s “Bill,” which starred Mickey Rooney as a mentally disabled man who struggles to fit into society. The role earned Rooney an Emmy. Landsburg also executive produced 1989’s “The Ryan White Story,” about a child who contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion, and 1980’s “The Jayne Mansfield Story.”

“That’s Incredible,” on ABC, was hosted by John Davidson, Cathy Lee Crosby and Fran Tarkenton, and showcased people performing exceptional feats. “In Search Of …” was hosted by Leonard Nimoy and examined paranormal phenomena.

alan landsburg

Alan Landsburg

2 Comments

  1. I worked closely with Alan and hosts John Davidson, Cathy Lee Crosby and Fran Tarkenton on ABC’s THAT’s INCREDIBLE!

    He made it an up experience every moment. Whether in the office, or in the studio, he encouraged each of us to excel.
    Peter Bright

  2. After I left nbc in the 80’s, intent on starting my own production company, Alan gave me a home at his company, paid me a salary and helped me get started. He was a bigger-than-life, generous, smart and loving man with a great sense of humor. He believed deeply in the power of media to help create a better world.
    RIP.

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