Jay Sommers | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1917-01-03)January 3, 1917 Troy, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 25, 1985(1985-09-25) (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Jay Sommers (January 3, 1917 – September 25, 1985) was an Americanproducer,director andcomedy writer whose career spanned four decades. He wrote more than 90 television comedy episodes, produced 63, and was creator and producer of theGreen Acres television show.[1] He also wrote for and executive producedPetticoat Junction during its second and third seasons, and also worked forThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
Sommers studiedchemistry atCity College of New York before becoming acomedy writer.[2]
In 1940, he got a break by being brought in to write for aMilton Berle radio show. (Berle at the time was one of the most popular radio personalities.) He wrote forThe Alan Young Show,[3]Eddie Cantor, Spike Jones, andRed Skelton on the radio, and for the radio comedy seriesLum and Abner.
In 1950, he was the producer, writer and director for theGranby's Green Acres radio show.[4] Although it only ran for two months, it later served as the basis for the highly successfulGreen Acres television show that he created 15 years later, on which he served as main producer and writer.[5]
His first television work was in 1955, as a writer forThe Great Gildersleeve. He wrote three episodes ofHello, Larry toward the end of his life. He is credited for the story and screenplay for the movieGordy, released 10 years after his death.
Sommers produced, created and co-wrotePioneer Spirit, a pilot that was broadcast onNBC television July 21, 1969.[6][7]
In 1984, theUSC School of Cinematic Arts honored Sommers by giving a retrospective ofGreen Acres.[2]
Sommers died of aheart disease[8] September 25, 1985, atCedars-Sinai Medical Center inLos Angeles, California. He was survived by his wife, five sons and a grandson.[2]
