Herman Rush Dies at 94: Ex-Columbia Pictures Television President Played Key Role in Bringing Norman Lear’s All in the Family to Market
- Rush died of natural causes on December 12 in LA
- He bought a number of intellectual properties from the British Lord Lew Grade
- One entitled Till Death Us Do Part was adapted by Norman Lear as All in the Family
- Lear died of cardiac arrest on December 6 at the age of 101
- Rush was married to wife Joan Rush for 72 years; she died in October
Longtime TV producer Herman Rush has died of natural causes at the age of 94.
Rush, who was once president of Columbia Pictures Television, died on December 12 in Los Angeles. Deadline reported Wednesday.
Rush was instrumental in bringing the iconic TV series All in the Family to market in the late 1960s, when he purchased a number of intellectual properties from Britain’s Lord Lew Grade.
The sitcom Till Death Us Do Part, acquired in the purchase, was then sold to Norman Lear, who adapted it into All in the Family. Lear himself died earlier this month at the age of 101.
All in the Family aired on CBS from 1971 to 1979, starring the late Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton, as well as Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner. A total of 207 episodes aired and won 22 Primetime Emmy awards over its nine seasons.
Longtime TV producer Herman Rush has died of natural causes at the age of 94. Pictured on June 13, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California
All in the Family aired on CBS from 1971 to 1979, starring the late Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton, as well as Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner
The series aired a total of 207 episodes and collected 22 Primetime Emmy awards during its nine seasons.
Rush began working in the entertainment industry in 1951 as a salesman for Official Film.
Rush then bought Flamingo Films and prospered, growing it into a major independent syndication company, according to Deadline.
In the 1970s, Rush was president of the television division of the Creative Management Associates. Among the shows he put on the networks included The Jackie Gleason Show, The Perry Como Show, The Hollywood Palace and The Kraft Music Hall.
According to the outlet, Rush worked closely with producer Irwin Allen on classic shows like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants.
Rush was promoted to president of Columbia Pictures Television Group in 1980, during which time he directed shows for Designing Women, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and Mike Hammer, among others.
Rush formed a business partnership with Raymond Katz for a company called Katz/Rush Entertainment.
The group produced television shows including The Susan Powter Show, The New Original Amateur Hour, Nite Cap and Miss America: Behind The Crown.
Rush is survived by children Mandie and Jim. He was married to wife Joan Rush for 72 years; she died in October.
Rush was instrumental in bringing the iconic TV series All in the Family to market in the late 1960s, when he purchased a number of intellectual properties from Britain’s Lord Lew Grade.