Warren Steibel
Encyclopedia
Warren Steibel was a producer
and director
who worked in the television and film industry throughout his career, and is perhaps best remembered for his long friendship with William F. Buckley Jr., both of whom collaborated on the production of Firing Line
from April 1966 until its final broadcast at the end of 1999.
Although the liberal
Steibel was not always in accord with Buckley's conservative
political beliefs, the two had an amicable and creative working relationship, and produced one of the longest-running television programs in the history of PBS.
In addition to Firing Line, Steibel is credited with producing another topical debate program, Debates, Debates, which was created in 1996 and was distributed by another non-profit production company of his creation, Four Score and Ten.
Steibel also worked for each of the "Big Three" television stations in various capacities. He experienced a less successful career as a Hollywood producer, producing the independent film The Honeymoon Killers
in 1970. The film was written and eventually directed by Steibel's business partner, Opera Composer Leonard Kastle
, in order to save costs and to rescue the film after the firing of initial director, Martin Scorsese
.
After battling liver cancer
Steibel died on January 3, 2002.
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
who worked in the television and film industry throughout his career, and is perhaps best remembered for his long friendship with William F. Buckley Jr., both of whom collaborated on the production of Firing Line
Firing Line
Firing Line was an American public affairs show founded and hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. Its 1,504 episodes over 33 years made Firing Line the longest-running public affairs show in television history with a single host...
from April 1966 until its final broadcast at the end of 1999.
Although the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Steibel was not always in accord with Buckley's conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
political beliefs, the two had an amicable and creative working relationship, and produced one of the longest-running television programs in the history of PBS.
In addition to Firing Line, Steibel is credited with producing another topical debate program, Debates, Debates, which was created in 1996 and was distributed by another non-profit production company of his creation, Four Score and Ten.
Steibel also worked for each of the "Big Three" television stations in various capacities. He experienced a less successful career as a Hollywood producer, producing the independent film The Honeymoon Killers
The Honeymoon Killers
The Honeymoon Killers is a 1970 American film written and directed by Leonard Kastle, and starring Shirley Stoler and Tony Lo Bianco. It tells the story of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, the notorious "lonely hearts killers" who murdered at least 12 women in the 1940s...
in 1970. The film was written and eventually directed by Steibel's business partner, Opera Composer Leonard Kastle
Leonard Kastle
Leonard Gregory Kastle was an opera composer, librettist, and director, though he is best known as the writer/director of The Honeymoon Killers, his only venture into the cinema, for which he did all his own research. He was educated at the Curtis Institute of Music studying under opera composer...
, in order to save costs and to rescue the film after the firing of initial director, Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
.
After battling liver cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
Steibel died on January 3, 2002.
External links
- The liberal behind Buckley’s talk show, Warren Steibel, dies at 76
- Obituary: Warren Steibel, R.I.P. Obituary published in National Review DEAD LINK
- That's debatable
- Notes & Asides Excerpts from William F. Buckley, Jr, speech honoring Firing Line producer Warren Stiebel