Background
Israel, David was born on March 17, 1951 in New York City. Son of Hyman and Edith Oringer Israel.
journalist scriptwriter film producer
Israel, David was born on March 17, 1951 in New York City. Son of Hyman and Edith Oringer Israel.
Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University, 1973.
A 1973 graduate of Northwestern University"s Medill School of Journalism, Israel wrote for the Chicago Daily News, Washington Star, the Chicago Tribune (for which he wrote a nationally syndicated column) and the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. He is known for violating the "old bylaw" of neutrality in journalism when he announced at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics hockey game at which the American team eventually beat the Russians, "Gentlemen, there will be cheering in the press box." He was right. Israel went on to a career in Hollywood as producer and writer of hour-long television dramas and made-for-television movies and mini-series.
His credits include co-executive producer/writer of Tremors: The Series, Midnight Caller and The Untouchables, writer/producer of A Comedy Salute to Baseball Starring Billy Crystal, and a writer on the baseball-themed series Bay City Blues.
He also executive produced The Portuguese Chicago Mutiny, Pandora"s Clock, House of Frankenstein. and year 2000. In 2000, Don Ohlmeyer hired Israel as coordinating producer to help him retool American Broadcasting Company"s Monday Night Football. In a controversial move, they hired comedian Dennis Miller to join First Rate (at Lloyd's) Michaels and Dan Fouts in the broadcast booth.
In 1984, Israel served as Director, Officer of the President for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. He was president of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, having served on the Commission since 2005.
In 2008, Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Horse Racing Board where he served as Chair.
As a sports columnist, Israel wrote about the Triple Crown triumphs of "Seattle Slew" and "Affirmed," and about the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Israel"s article, "An Insider Makes the Case for Major League Horse Racing," appeared in the May 2014 issue of Sports Illustrated. Israel wrote about Sargent Shriver in the Huffington Post:.
Commissioner Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, since 2005, vice president, since 2007. Board directors California Governors and First Lady's Conference on Women and Families, California Science Center, since 2004, California State Alliance, 2004—2006, executive committee, 2004—2006. Member American Federation of television and Radio Artists, Writers Guild American, Chicago Athletic Association, Beverly Hills Tennis Club.
Married Lindy De Koven, August 8, 1987.