Edwin Sherin (January 15, 1930 – May 4, 2017) was an American-Canadian director and producer. He is best known as the director and executive producer of theNBC drama seriesLaw & Order (1991–2005).
When he was 16 years old, Sherin dropped out ofDeWitt Clinton High School and traveled to West Texas, where he worked on a cattle ranch. He eventually resumed his education at theFountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, graduating in 1948.[1] In 1952, he graduated fromBrown University, where he received a degree in international relations.[1] After graduation, Sherin enlisted in the Navy and fought in theKorean War.[1]
He metJane Alexander while serving as the resident director atWashington, DC'sArena Stage, where he cast her andJames Earl Jones inThe Great White Hope. In 1968, he directed the play and its two stars onBroadway,[3] and the production marked the start not only of his Broadway directorial career, but a long professional and personal relationship with Alexander as well. In August 1973, he cast Jones as King Lear for his production onKing Lear atThe Public Theater'sShakespeare in the Park.[4]
He directed Alexander inFirst Monday in October on Broadway in 1978,Hedda Gabler at the Hartman Theatre (Connecticut) in 1981[5] in the American Playhouse television movieA Marriage: Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, in 1991.[6] and in the Broadway revival ofThe Visit.[7]
Sherin directed six plays at Washington, D.C.'sArena Stage, one per season for six consecutive seasons:The Wall (1963–64),Galileo (1964–65),St. Joan (1965–66),Macbeth (1966–67),The Iceman Cometh (1967–68), andKing Lear (1968–69).[8]
Sherin won the 1969Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director forThe Great White Hope[9] and was nominated for a 1974Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, forFind Your Way Home.
Sherin directed the television filmsLena: My 100 Children (1987),The Father Clements Story (1987),Settle the Score (1989),Daughter of the Streets (1990), andA Marriage: Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz (1991).
Sherin's first wife was actress Pamela Vevers, with whom he had three sons. The marriage ended in divorce.[1][16] In 1975, he married actressJane Alexander.[12]
