Sherwood Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Sherwood Charles Schwartz (November 14, 1916 – July 12, 2011) was an American
television
producer
. He worked on radio
shows in the 1940s, and created the television series Gilligan's Island
on CBS and The Brady Bunch
on ABC
. On March 7, 2008, Schwartz, at the time still active in his 90s, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
degree in biology
. In need of employment, he began writing jokes for Bob Hope
's radio program, for which Schwartz's brother, Al Schwartz, worked. Schwartz recalled that Hope "liked my jokes, used them on his show and got big laughs. Then he asked me to join his writing staff. I was faced with a major decision — writing comedy or starving to death while I cured those diseases. I made a quick career change."
He went on to write for Ozzie Nelson
's The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
and other radio shows. Schwartz was a writer on the Armed Forces Radio Network before he got his break in television. He went on to create and produce Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch
. He wrote the theme song for three of his shows: Gilligan's Island (co-wrote), It's About Time, and The Brady Bunch.
Syndication turned his two major successes into TV institutions with cultural relevance. He made them icons, and as a result he became a television icon.
, 20/20, TV Land's Top Ten and A&E
's Biography
. He also took part in a "Creators" marathon on Nick at Nite
in the late 1990s. He was also a guest at the 2004 TV Land Awards
.
In 1988, Schwartz appeared on The Late Show with Ross Shafer
for a Gilligan's Island reunion, along with all seven castaways from Gilligan's Island. This was the last time they were all together on television.
to a Jewish family.
In his 1988 book, Inside Gilligan's Island, Schwartz mentions he did not get along well with Red Skelton
. In his early years as head writer, it was in his contract that Schwartz would not have to meet face-to-face with Skelton.
-themed episode of The Beverly Hillbillies
, a character states that Sherwood Forest
is a relative of Sherwood Schwartz. Also, a Roseanne
episode was entirely devoted to Gilligan's Island and was titled "Sherwood Schwartz: A Loving Tribute". In Raising Hope
, Sherwood is indirectly mentioned during the opening scene of the second season as someone who "started each day with a song that perfectly recapped what was going on." Then she points to an empty chair with a Gilligan-type sailor cap on it. During the episode, the main character, Jimmy, loses his memory and his doctor advises him that unlike a sit-com, memory can't be regained by hitting someone on the head again and uses an episode of Gilligan's Island to illustrate the point.
(the creator of The Munsters Today
), Ross, and Hope (Mrs. Juber; reportedly named after Bob Hope
) eight grandchildren, Juli, Jill, Jackie, Andy, Becky, Nico, Ilsey, and Elliot as well as four great-grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Evan and Aidan,.
opened in Theater West in California. In 1990, he wrote Gilligan's Island: The Musical
, still in production as of 2011. His son Lloyd
, daughter Hope, and son-in-law Laurence Juber
worked on the play as well.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
. He worked on radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
shows in the 1940s, and created the television series Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
on CBS and The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...
on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. On March 7, 2008, Schwartz, at the time still active in his 90s, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
.
Life and career
Schwartz's entertainment career came "by accident". He relocated from New York to southern California to pursue a master of scienceMaster of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
. In need of employment, he began writing jokes for Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
's radio program, for which Schwartz's brother, Al Schwartz, worked. Schwartz recalled that Hope "liked my jokes, used them on his show and got big laughs. Then he asked me to join his writing staff. I was faced with a major decision — writing comedy or starving to death while I cured those diseases. I made a quick career change."
He went on to write for Ozzie Nelson
Ozzie Nelson
Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson was an American entertainer and band leader who originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio and television series with his wife and two sons.-Early life:...
's The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952 to September 3, 1966, starring the real life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television where it continued its success, running on both radio and TV for a couple of years...
and other radio shows. Schwartz was a writer on the Armed Forces Radio Network before he got his break in television. He went on to create and produce Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...
. He wrote the theme song for three of his shows: Gilligan's Island (co-wrote), It's About Time, and The Brady Bunch.
Syndication turned his two major successes into TV institutions with cultural relevance. He made them icons, and as a result he became a television icon.
TV appearances
During the late 1990s and the 2000s, he made many appearances on TV talking about his series, on shows such as the CBS Evening NewsCBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
, 20/20, TV Land's Top Ten and A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's Biography
Biography (TV series)
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987...
. He also took part in a "Creators" marathon on Nick at Nite
Nick at Nite
Nick at Nite is the nighttime Cable network that broadcasts over the channel space of Nickelodeon on Sundays from 8.p.m.-7.am., Monday through Fridays from 9 p.m.-7 a.m. and Saturdays from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. . Though it shares channel space with Nickelodeon, A.C. Nielsen Co...
in the late 1990s. He was also a guest at the 2004 TV Land Awards
TV Land Awards
The TV Land Awards is an American television awards ceremony that generally commemorates shows now off the air, rather than in current production as with awards such as the Emmys. It is presented in a manner that spoofs other entertainment award ceremonies...
.
In 1988, Schwartz appeared on The Late Show with Ross Shafer
The Late Show (1986 TV series)
The Late Show is an American late-night talk show and the first series broadcast on the then-new Fox Network. Originally hosted by comic actress Joan Rivers, it first aired on October 9, 1986 under the title The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers...
for a Gilligan's Island reunion, along with all seven castaways from Gilligan's Island. This was the last time they were all together on television.
Personal life
Schwartz was born in Passaic, New JerseyPassaic, New Jersey
Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
to a Jewish family.
In his 1988 book, Inside Gilligan's Island, Schwartz mentions he did not get along well with Red Skelton
Red Skelton
Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton was an American comedian who is best known as a top radio and television star from 1937 to 1971. Skelton's show business career began in his teens as a circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV, night clubs and casinos, all while pursuing...
. In his early years as head writer, it was in his contract that Schwartz would not have to meet face-to-face with Skelton.
Pop culture references
On a Robin HoodRobin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
-themed episode of The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
, a character states that Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is a Royal Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, that is famous through its historical association with the legend of Robin Hood. Continuously forested since the end of the Ice Age, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve today encompasses 423 hectares surrounding the village of...
is a relative of Sherwood Schwartz. Also, a Roseanne
Roseanne (TV series)
Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
episode was entirely devoted to Gilligan's Island and was titled "Sherwood Schwartz: A Loving Tribute". In Raising Hope
Raising Hope
Raising Hope is a television comedy program first aired on September 21, 2010 on Fox. The series airs on Tuesdays at 9:30 pm. On January 10, 2011, Fox renewed Raising Hope for a second season, which premiered on September 20, 2011....
, Sherwood is indirectly mentioned during the opening scene of the second season as someone who "started each day with a song that perfectly recapped what was going on." Then she points to an empty chair with a Gilligan-type sailor cap on it. During the episode, the main character, Jimmy, loses his memory and his doctor advises him that unlike a sit-com, memory can't be regained by hitting someone on the head again and uses an episode of Gilligan's Island to illustrate the point.
Death
On July 12, 2011, Sherwood Schwartz died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mildred Schwartz and their four children: Donald, LloydLloyd J. Schwartz
Lloyd J. Schwartz is an American television producer and writer.-Career:Schwartz is the son of TV mogul Sherwood Schwartz and has worked alongside him since the late 1960s. He has teamed with his father on many Brady Bunch projects, often as writer or producer.He also has written for TV series...
(the creator of The Munsters Today
The Munsters Today
The Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
), Ross, and Hope (Mrs. Juber; reportedly named after Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
) eight grandchildren, Juli, Jill, Jackie, Andy, Becky, Nico, Ilsey, and Elliot as well as four great-grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Evan and Aidan,.
Filmography
Schwartz produced a number of radio and TV shows during his career.| Series | Years | Job |
|---|---|---|
| The Bob Hope Show | 1938–1942 | Writer for radio version |
| The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952 to September 3, 1966, starring the real life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television where it continued its success, running on both radio and TV for a couple of years... |
1940s | Writer for radio version |
| The Alan Young Show The Alan Young Show The Alan Young Show is an American radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young.-Radio:... |
1940s | Writer for radio version |
| I Married Joan I Married Joan I Married Joan is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1952 to 1955. It starred veteran vaudeville, film, and radio comedienne Joan Davis as the manic wife of a mild-mannered community judge, Bradley Stevens .-Synopsis:... |
1952–1955 | Writer |
| The Red Skelton Show The Red Skelton Show The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as... |
1956–1962 | Writer |
| My Favorite Martian My Favorite Martian My Favorite Martian is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1963 to May 1, 1966 for 107 episodes... |
1963 | Script supervisor |
| Gilligan's Island Gilligan's Island Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for... |
1964–1967 | Writer, creator, producer |
| It's About Time | 1966–1967 | Writer, creator, producer |
| The Brady Bunch The Brady Bunch The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family... |
1969–1974 | Writer, creator, producer |
| Dusty's Trail Dusty's Trail Dusty's Trail is an American Western/comedy series that aired in syndication from September 1973 to March 1974. The series is set in the 19th century about a small group of travelers separated from their wagon train who become lost. Dusty's Trail stars Bob Denver as "Dusty" Boots, the assistant to... |
1973–1974 | Writer, creator, producer |
| Big John, Little John Big John, Little John Big John, Little John is an American Saturday morning sitcom produced by Sherwood Schwartz which stars Robbie Rist as Little John, and Herb Edelman as Big John. The show first aired on September 11, 1976 on NBC, and ran for one season of 13 episodes... |
1976 | Producer |
| Harper Valley PTA Harper Valley PTA (TV series) Harper Valley PTA is an early 1980s American television sitcom based on the 1978 film Harper Valley PTA, which was itself based on the 1968 song recorded by country singer Jeannie C. Riley, written by Tom T... |
1981–1982 | Writer, producer |
| Together We Stand Together We Stand Together We Stand, also known as Nothing Is Easy, is an American television series that aired on the CBS network from 1986 to 1987. It was written by Stephen Sustarsic and directed by Andrew D. Weyman.... |
1986–1987 | Writer, producer |
Stage productions
On November 10, 2006, his play RockersRockers (Play)
"Rockers" is a play written by Sherwood Schwartz about three women and their lives in a retirement home. It first played in 1993 for a short while. The play was recently revised in November 2006 and played at Theatre West in Hollywood California.-2006 Cast:...
opened in Theater West in California. In 1990, he wrote Gilligan's Island: The Musical
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
, still in production as of 2011. His son Lloyd
Lloyd J. Schwartz
Lloyd J. Schwartz is an American television producer and writer.-Career:Schwartz is the son of TV mogul Sherwood Schwartz and has worked alongside him since the late 1960s. He has teamed with his father on many Brady Bunch projects, often as writer or producer.He also has written for TV series...
, daughter Hope, and son-in-law Laurence Juber
Laurence Juber
Laurence Juber is an English-born guitarist who currently lives in California. Born 12 November 1952 in Stepney, East London, he was raised and went to school in North London...
worked on the play as well.
Unsold pilots
He wrote and executive produced two unsold television pilots:- Scamps (1982) — starring Bob Denver, Dreama Denver, and Joey LawrenceJoey LawrenceJoseph "Joey" Lawrence is an American actor, R&B-singer, and TV-host. He is known for his roles in the TV-series Gimme a Break!, Blossom, and Melissa & Joey.- Early life :...
- The Invisible Woman (1983) — starring Bob Denver, Alexa HamiltonAlexa HamiltonAlexa Hamilton is an American actress. She appeared as a guest star in the fifth episode of the series The Greatest American Hero, 'Saturday on Sunset Boulevard', as the Italian heiress Theresa Chimerosa , in 1981...
, George GobelGeorge GobelGeorge Leslie Gobel was an American comedian and actor. He was best known as the star of his own weekly NBC television show, The George Gobel Show, which ran from 1954 to 1960 .-Early years:He was born George Leslie Goebel in Chicago, Illinois, His father, Hermann Goebel, was a...
, and Harvey KormanHarvey KormanHarvey Herschel Korman was an American comedic actor who performed in television and movie productions beginning in 1960...
Awards
- Won the 1961 Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for his writing on The Red Skelton Show. - Was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his 2004 special Still Brady After All These Years
- On March 7, 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of FameHollywood Walk of FameThe Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
. Actresses Dawn WellsDawn WellsDawn Elberta Wells is an American actress known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the sitcom Gilligan's Island during its run from 1964 until 1967.- Early life :...
and Florence HendersonFlorence HendersonFlorence Agnes Henderson is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role of Carol Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974...
, who appeared in Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch, respectively, accompanied Schwartz when he received his star.
External links
- Sherwood Schwartz in The Comedy Hall of Fame Archives
- An interview from 2011 with Sherwood Schwartz
- SherwoodSchwartz.com authorized Web site
- Biographic sketch of Sherwood Schwartz
- Signature of Sherwood Schwartz from Here on Gilligan's Isle
- Sherwood Schwartz interview at Archive of American TelevisionArchive of American TelevisionThe Archive of American Television is a division of the non-profit Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation that films interviews with notable people from all aspects of the television industry....
– September 17, 1997