Edward S. Feldman (September 5, 1929 – October 2, 2020) was an American film and television producer.
Born and raised inThe Bronx, where he attendedDeWitt Clinton High School, Feldman graduated fromMichigan State University, after which he was hired by20th Century Fox to work as a writer in the studio's press book department in itsManhattan headquarters. He quickly rose within the ranks, becoming the contact forfan magazines, thentrade papers, and finally theNew York City press.[1] His employment at Fox was interrupted by a two-year stint with theUnited States Air Force, during which he was stationed at theDover Air Force Base inDelaware. His commanding officer expected him to use his skills as apublicist to get him promoted fromcolonel togeneral, a task Feldman completed successfully before he returned to civilian life.[2]
In 1959, Feldman left Fox to promoteThe World of Suzie Wong and its producer,Ray Stark, forParamount Pictures. His assignment began with location shooting inHong Kong and ended with the release of the film. He clashed with Stark throughout the production, which prompted him to resign from Paramount and joinEmbassy Pictures as the head of advertising and publicity.[3] Two years later, Stark invited him to join him atSeven Arts Productions, where his first project was the controversial screen adaptation ofLolita. Due to Feldman's intervention, theCatholic Legion of Decency agreed not to rate the film "condemned" if the studio would enforce a rule banning anyone under the age of eighteen from theaters showing it.[4] Once Seven Arts acquiredWarner Bros., Feldman relocated to Hollywood, where he remained withWarner Bros.-Seven Arts for two years, during which time he became active in film production.[5]
Because of his association with Stark, son-in-law of comedianFanny Brice, Feldman handled advertising and publicity for theBroadway production ofFunny Girl throughout its run.[6]
Feldman's first credit as a film producer was the 1971melodramaWhat's the Matter with Helen? starringDebbie Reynolds andShelley Winters. Additional credits includeSave the Tiger,The Other Side of the Mountain,Two-Minute Warning,The Last Married Couple in America,Hot Dog...The Movie,Witness,The Golden Child,Wired,Green Card,The Doctor,Forever Young, the live-actionThe Jungle Book, the live-action101 Dalmatians and its sequel,102 Dalmatians,The Truman Show, andK-19: The Widowmaker.
In 1984, Edward S. Feldman teamed up with entertainment attorney Charles R. Meeker to start outThe Feldman/Meeker Co. (akaFM Entertainment) in order to self-finance and make three-youth oriented films annually and the development of network and television projects.[7]
For television, Feldman produced severalfilms andminiseries, includingMoon of the Wolf,Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story, and21 Hours at Munich andKing, both of which earned himEmmy Award nominations. He also was one of the producers of the short-lived seriesFlamingo Road.
Feldman was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Picture forWitness and theBAFTA Award for Best Film forWitness andThe Truman Show. In 2001, theHollywood Film Festival honored him for Outstanding Achievement in Producing.
Feldman died on October 2, 2020, inLos Angeles.[8]
Producer
Executive producer
Acting roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Hot Dog…The Movie | Man in Bar Watching Wet T-shirt Contest | Uncredited |
| 1990 | Green Card | Taxi Driver | |
| 1992 | Honey, I Blew Up the Kid | Las Vegas Couple | |
| 1985 | Witness | Tour Bus Guide |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | One from the Heart | Production representative |
Executive producer
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Moon of the Wolf | Television film |
| 1973 | Pioneer Woman | |
| 1974 | The Stranger Who Looks Like Me | |
| 1975 | My Father's House | |
| 1976 | 21 Hours at Munich | |
| Smash-Up on Interstate 5 | ||
| 1978 | King | |
| 1979 | Valentine | Television film |
| 1981 | 300 Miles for Stephanie | |
| 1982 | Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story | |
| Not in Front of the Children | ||
| 1985 | Obsessed with a Married Woman | |
| Midas Valley |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
