Known as the “Godfather of the TV Movie,” producer Chuck Fries cut his teeth in Hollywood at Ziv Television from 1952-60. The Cincinnati native would go on to produce more than 275 hours of TV movies and miniseries, including “Small Sacrifices,” with Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal, and “The Neon Empire,” starring Ray Sharkey, Martin Landau and Gary Busey. As production VP, first at Screen Gems, then at Columbia, he was involved with such hits as “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Bewitched” and Jack Nicholson’s “Five Easy Pieces.” He then moved to Metromedia and, ultimately, his own banner, producing films like “Cat People” and “Troop Beverly Hills,” the latter based on his wife Ava’s experiences. Fries, whose career spans six decades, was first mentioned in Variety on April 30, 1958, when Murray Seldeen joined Ziv as Fries’ assistant. But Fries was quick to say, “You know, it’s very funny. I swear to God,...
- 8/31/2018
- by Tara Bitran
- Variety Film + TV
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