Background
Hemion, Dwight Arlington was born on March 14, 1926 in New Haven. Son of Dwight Arlington and Bernice Ruby (Berquist) Hemion.
Hemion, Dwight Arlington was born on March 14, 1926 in New Haven. Son of Dwight Arlington and Bernice Ruby (Berquist) Hemion.
Student in public schools, Verona, New Jersey.
Hemion began working in live television in New York in the 1950s, particularly for the original The Tonight Show starring Steve Allen. In the 1960s, Hemion began concentrating on musical-variety shows, working with producer Gary Smith on a popular series of Kraft Music Hall specials for National Broadcasting Company-television Smith-Hemion arguably defined the fast-paced look and glamorous style of the American comedy-variety genre, and influenced scores of later generations working in television Hemion had a knack for balancing both visual and musical elements that made him a master of directing concert performance specials.
He worked with such major stars as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Shirley MacLaine, Julie Andrews, Elvis Presley, Burt Bacharach, The Muppets, and Luciano Pavarotti.
Among the most memorable specials that Hemion produced and directed were: My Name Is Barbra (1965), Frank Sinatra: A Manitoba and His Music (1965), Peter Pan (a 1976 version with a new score, not to be confused with the classic musical starring Mary Martin), Baryshnikov on Broadway (1980), and Barbra Streisand: The Concert (1994). Hemion died of kidney failure, at the age of 81.
Served in Air Corps United States Army, 1944-1946. Member Purcival Country Club.
Married Katherine Bridget Morrissy, September 1, 1973. Children— Katherine, Dwight Gustav.