James Komack
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James Komack | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 3, 1924[1] |
| Died | December 24, 1997 (aged 73) |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Television producer, director, writer, actor |
| Spouse | Cluny Komack |
James Komack (August 3, 1924 – December 24, 1997[1]) was an American television producer, director, writer and actor.
Career
Komack performed in both the film and the original Broadway cast of the musical Damn Yankees. In both productions, he played the role of a baseball player performing the song "(You Gotta Have) Heart". Komack also appeared in Frank Capra's film A Hole in the Head as Julius Manetta, the inept son of Mario (Edward G. Robinson) and Sophie (Thelma Ritter).
Early in his career, Komack worked as a stand-up comedian and was cast in sixteen episodes as United States Navy dentist Harvey Spencer Blair III, in the CBS military sitcom/drama, Hennesey, starring Jackie Cooper and Abby Dalton. Komack made a record album of his comedy routine, James Komack at the Waldorf. He also recorded a music album on RCA Victor in 1957 titled Inside Me, under the orchestra direction of Dennis Farnon.
In December 1960, Komack appeared as Dr. Franklin in the episode "Emergency" of the CBS anthology series, The DuPont Show with June Allyson; his co-stars were Robert F. Simon and Robert Vaughn.
Komack was the guiding force behind several television hits. In The Courtship of Eddie's Father, he appeared as Norman Tinker. He appeared in and created Me and Maxx, whose title character was inspired by and named after his daughter. He also appeared in Get Smart, created Chico and the Man and helped produce Welcome Back, Kotter. Komack is credited with discovering and launching the careers of John Travolta and Freddie Prinze. He was director of the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "A Piece of the Action".
Komack was the creator and executive producer of the short-lived 1978 CBS situation comedy Another Day.
Personal life
Komack died Christmas Eve 1997 of heart failure.
References
- "James Komack Biography (1930-1997)". filmreference. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
Notes
- ^ a b Allmovie (2008). "James Komack". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
External links
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- 1924 births
- 1997 deaths
- American male screenwriters
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American television directors
- American television producers
- American television writers
- Male actors from New York City
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