Background
Saudek, Robert was born on April 11, 1911 in Pittsburgh. Son of Victor and Fedora (Wolff) Saudek.
Saudek, Robert was born on April 11, 1911 in Pittsburgh. Son of Victor and Fedora (Wolff) Saudek.
AB, Harvard University, 1932. Postgraduate, Duquesne University, 1938.
Saudek is best remembered for creating the arts and culture variety television show Omnibus at the behest of the Ford Foundation. Saudek sought to bring uplifting entertainment to American television audiences by bringing them the best actors, musicians, scientists, authors, comedians, and cultural figures. Saudek also produced other cultural television programming, including Profiles in Courage.
Over the course of his career, he was awarded eleven Emmys and seven Peabodys.
He served on the Carnegie Commission, which worked to establish both Public Broadcasting Service and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Saudek founded the Museum of Broadcasting (now known as the Museum of Television & Radio) and later headed the Library of Congress"s motion picture division.
President Bronxville (New York ) Board Education, 1950's. Member Century Association, Marlboro Music Association (board directors, trustee), Harvard Club (New York City), New England Historic Film Society, Boothbay Harbor (Maine) Yacht Club.
Married Elizabeth Koch, November 2, 1935. Children: Richard H., Christopher D., Robert E., Mary Elizabeth Jaffee, Stephen Low.