Edgar Scherick

Edgar J. Scherick (October 16, 1924 – December 2, 2002) was an Academy-, Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning American television executive and producer of television miniseries, made-for-television films, and theatrical motion pictures.[1]

Edgar Scherick
Born
Edgar J. Scherick

(1924-10-16)October 16, 1924
New York City, US
DiedDecember 2, 2002(2002-12-02) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, US
OccupationFilm producer, television producer
Spouse(s)Margaret Iwasaki
Carol Romann

Life and career

Scherick was born in New York City, the son of Jennie (née Friedman) and Jacob J. Scherick.[2] He was raised in Long Beach, NY and graduated Long Beach High School in 1941.

Widely credited as a pioneer in network sports broadcasting, Scherick created the television program ABC's Wide World of Sports at his company Sports Programs, Inc. which he started in 1956 with $600.00.[3] In February 1960, Scherick sold Sports Programs to the American Broadcasting Company for $500,000 in ABC stock, where it became ABC Sports, the sports division of the network. With the acquisition, Scherick was appointed head of the ABC Sports division, then Vice President in charge of Network Sales. In June 1963, Scherick became Vice President of Programming for the ABC Television Network, where he created many popular shows including Bewitched, Batman, That Girl, The Hollywood Palace, and Peyton Place.

After his television career, Edgar Scherick became a film and television producer and executive producer of 75 theatrical films, television movies and mini-series through his company Palomar Pictures International and other entities.

In 1983, Scherick had a cameo role as Wilson Crockett, a network television executive, in the Martin Scorsese film, The King of Comedy.

By January 2, 1990, Scherick had gone to work with Saban Entertainment through its Saban/Scherick Productions division, which was for mostly television movies and mini-series[4] He died of complications from leukemia.[5]

Scherick hired and served as a mentor to many famous television and theatrical producers and industry executives including Roone Arledge, Brian Grazer, Scott Rudin, Michael Barnathan, Robert Lawrence and David Nicksay.[6]

Awards and nominations

Scherick's television body of work includes 6 Emmy nominations and one winning Emmy:

  • 2002: Outstanding Made For Television Movie – Path To War
  • 1990: Outstanding Miniseries – The Kennedys of Massachusetts
  • 1986: Outstanding Miniseries – On Wings of Eagles
  • 1984: Outstanding Children's Program – He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' (Winner)
  • 1983: Outstanding Drama Special – Little Gloria...Happy at Last
  • 1977: Outstanding Special – Drama or Comedy – Raid on Entebbe The Big Event

Also served as chair of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame beginning in 1988.

Select filmography

Some titles produced by Scherick include:

Actor
Year Title Role Notes
1982The King of ComedyWilson Crockett

References
  1. Carter, Bill (December 7, 2002). "Edgar Scherick, 78, Producer For Television and Movies". The New York Times.
  2. Edgar J. Scherick Biography (1924–2002)
  3. "Our Respects to Edgar Jay Scherick. Network TV Salesman Turns Program Chief". Broadcasting. July 8, 1963.
  4. Apodoaca, Patrice (January 2, 1990). "Saban Seeks Older TV Audience : Programs: The founder of Saban Entertainment, which produces children's shows, takes the leap to prime time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  5. https://articles.latimes.com/2002/dec/04/local/me-scherick4
  6. Speier, Michael (September 21, 2001). "Career Counselor: Edgar Scherick". Daily Variety. Missing or empty |url= (help)
Business positions
Preceded by
Thomas W. Moore		 Vice President, Programs ABC
1963–1966		 Succeeded by
Leonard Goldberg
Preceded by
First		 President of ABC Sports
1956–1964		 Succeeded by
Roone Arledge
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