Martin Henry Callner (August 25, 1946 – March 17, 2025) was an American director who made music videos, comedy specials, concert specials and television shows. He was the creator of HBO's Hard Knocks, and was nominated for numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, CableACE Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
Background Born in Chicago on August 25, 1946, Martin Henry Callner grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, raised primarily by his mother. He attended three universities but did not earn a degree.
Career Callner began his career at a Cincinnati television station in 1969, before moving to Boston's WBZ-TV, where he directed Boston Celtics broadcasts. He began directing stand-up specials for HBO in 1975. He moved into music videos a few years later, after being inspired by the video for the Kim Carnes song "Bette Davis Eyes". His directorial credits on music videos include videos for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Chaka Khan, Cher, Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Heart, Kiss, Poison, Ratt, Lita Ford, The Cranberries, Scorpions, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and ZZ Top.
His music video specials include Bette Midler's Diva Las Vegas, Pat Benatar's In Concert, Britney Spears: Live from Las Vegas, Diana Ross Live at Caesar's Palace, Fleetwood Mac's Mirage Tour, Garth Brooks Live from Central Park, Gladys Knight Live at the Greek Theatre, Gloria Estefan's Caribbean Soul: The Atlantis Concert, Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow, Marc Anthony's Concert from Madison Square Garden, Paul Simon Live at the Tower Theatre, Rolling Stones' Four Flicks, Stevie Nicks's Bella Donna, and Whitney Houston's Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa.
He also directed recordings of performances by comedians including Redd Foxx, Pee-wee Herman, Sam Kinison, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Dane Cook, John Leguizamo, Billy Crystal, George Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Whitney Cummings, and Will Ferrell.
Personal life and death Callner and his first wife, Jan Musarra, had two children. After they divorced, he married Aleeza Zelcer, with whom he also had two children. He died at his home in Malibu, California, on March 17, 2025, at the age of 78.
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef. 1979 CableACE Awards Entertainment On Location Standing Room Only 1981 Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Music Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Unclassified 1983 Directing a Theatrical-Music Program Camelot 1995 Music Special Madonna: The Girlie Show – Live Down Under 1999 Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time 2003 Robin Williams: Live on Broadway 2004 Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden 1994 MTV Video Music Awards Best Direction in a Video "Amazing" – Aerosmith 1991 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special Cher... at the Mirage 1997 Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special Diva Las Vegas Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program 1998 Garth: Live from Central Park 1999 Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time 2003 Robin Williams: Live on Broadway Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden 2009 Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special 2010 Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction 2011 The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway
References
External links Official website