American screenwriter, film and television director (1923–2003)
Rodney Amateau (December 20, 1923 – June 29, 2003) was an American film and television screenwriter, director, and producer.
Career.
Among the programs that he directed were "The Dennis Day Show", "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show", "The Bob Cummings Show", "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", "Mister Ed", "Gilligan's Island" and "The New Phil Silvers Show". He produced "My Mother the Car" and "Supertrain", and wrote the story for the 1988 film "Sunset". Amateau also directed a few episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard", and appeared in a handful of episodes as an actor as well.
In 1987, he directed, produced and co-wrote "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie", which is considered to be one of the worst films ever made.
Personal life.
From 1945 to 1949, he was married to actress Coleen Gray, who sued him for child support in 1955. Amateau was then married to actress and screenwriter Joane Andre from 1950 to 1959. From 1959 to 1962, he was married to Sandra Burns, daughter of George Burns and Gracie Allen.
Amateau had four children, two sons and two daughters.
Retirement and death.
Amateau retired from directing in 1989. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003 in Los Angeles, aged 79.
References.
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