David Levy

Background

David Levy was born on January 2, 1913, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was a son of Benjamin and Lillian (Potash) Levy.

Education

David Levy was a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

David Levy began his career in radio as a producer of the "We the People" series in the early 1940s. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he joined the Young & Rubicam advertising agency, becoming vice president of its television department during the 1950s, when ad agencies were pivotal in the development of television programs.

In 1959 he became vice president in charge of programming at NBC, where he was instrumental in bringing the series "Dr. Kildare," "Bonanza" and the "Movie of the Week" to the air. He left the company in 1961 to display his disapproval of sex and violence on television, against which he strongly fought. After leaving NBC, he produced ''The Addams Family,'' (1964 - 1977) based on the characters created by the cartoonist Charles Addams, for ABC. He also developed other series, including ''Sarge'' (1971 - 1972) and ''The Pruitts of Southampton,'' (1966 - 1967) and assisted in the revival of ''Name That Tune.''

He authored three books, including his Chameleons (1964), The Gods of Foxcraft (1970), and Against the Stream, a volume of poetry published in 1970.

Achievements

• David Levy has been listed as a noteworthy Broadcasting executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Gods of Foxcroft

    (Earth has been reduced to a vast laboratory, it's people ...)

    1970
  • Against The Stream

    (This is a collection of poetry.)

    1970
  • The Chameleons 1964

• TV series

  • Addams Family

    (Based on cartoon characters created by Charles Addams for...)

    1965

Views

David Levy was a leader of the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, helping to steer the group into supporting strict ratings for television.

Interests

• writing

Connections

On August 25, 1941, David Levy married Lucile Alva Wilds, an executive assistant. In 1970 they divorced. On April 23, 1987, he married Victoria Robertson, a vocalist and actress. He had two children from his first marriage: Lance, Linda.

Father:

Benjamin Levy

Mother:

Lillian Levy

Spouse:

Victoria Robertson

Daughter:

Linda Gorman

Son:

Lance Lee

ex-spouse:

Lucile Alva Wilds

References

• Contemporary Authors
  2000