Rodney Amateau (December 20, 1923 – June 29, 2003) was an American film and television screenwriter, director, and producer.
Early life Amateau was born in New York City, the son of the rabbi Albert Jean Amateau (1888–1996) and Rebecca Amateau (née Nahum, 1894–1976).
Career
Among the programs that he directed were The Dennis Day Show, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The Bob Cummings Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Mister Ed, Gilligan's Island and The New Phil Silvers Show. He produced My Mother the Car and Supertrain, and wrote the story for the 1988 film Sunset. Amateau also directed a few episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard, and appeared in a handful of episodes as an actor as well.
In 1987, he directed, produced and co-wrote The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, which is considered to be one of the worst films ever made.
Personal life From 1945 to 1949, he was married to actress Coleen Gray, who sued him for child support in 1955. Amateau was then married to actress and screenwriter Joane Andre from 1950 to 1959. From 1959 to 1962, he was married to Sandra Burns, daughter of George Burns and Gracie Allen.Sandra Burns profile, imdb.com; accessed April 6, 2017.
Amateau had four children, two sons and two daughters.
Retirement and death Amateau retired from directing in 1989. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003 in Los Angeles, aged 79.
Filmography Film Year Title Director Producer Writer1952The BushwhackersMonsoon1969Hook, Line & Sinker1970Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You1971The Statue1972Where Does It Hurt?1975The Wilby Conspiracy1976Drive-In1978The Seniors1979Son of Hitler1984Lovelines1987The Garbage Pail Kids Movie1988Sunset
TV Year Title1955–1959The Bob Cummings Show1956–1958The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show1959–1963The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis1961–1966Mister Ed1963–1964The New Phil Silvers Show1965–1966My Mother the Car1965–1966O.K. Crackerby1979–1985The Dukes of Hazzard1979Supertrain (season 1, episode 2: "And a Cup of Kindness, Too")1983High School U.S.A.
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