Bernard Slade facts for kids

Bernard Slade Newbound (May 2, 1930 – October 30, 2019) was a talented Canadian writer. He wrote for both television and the stage. You might know his work from popular TV shows like The Flying Nun and The Partridge Family. He also wrote famous plays such as Same Time, Next Year. Many of his plays were also made into movies.

Bernard Slade was nominated for a Tony Award for his play Same Time, Next Year. He also received an Oscar nomination for the movie version of the play.

Bernard Slade's Early Life

Bernard Slade was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, in May 1930. His parents were Bessie Harriet and Frederick Newbound. When he was five years old, his family moved to England. Later, he returned to Canada. For a short time, he worked as a steward for Trans Canada Airlines. After that, he decided to become an actor.

Bernard Slade's Creative Career

Bernard Slade started his career as an actor. He performed in repertory theatre in England. He also acted with the Garden Center Theatre in Vineland, Ontario. In the mid-1960s, he moved to Hollywood. There, he began writing for television sitcoms at Screen Gems.

Writing for Popular TV Shows

Slade wrote for many TV shows, including Bewitched. He even wrote an episode that introduced the character Aunt Clara. Later, the ABC network asked him to create his own series. He came up with Love on a Rooftop. This show was about a young couple living in a small apartment. They had access to a rooftop with a great view of San Francisco.

The next year, Slade created The Flying Nun. This show was based on a book called The Fifteenth Pelican. It starred Sally Field as a young nun. Her special hat allowed her to fly! After a short time away, Slade returned to Screen Gems. He then created The Partridge Family. This show was inspired by a real-life musical family called the Cowsills. He also created Bridget Loves Bernie. This show was based on an old play called Abie's Irish Rose. Slade also wrote the script for the 1972 movie Stand Up and Be Counted. This film was directed by Jackie Cooper. It was where the famous song "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy was first heard. His last show for Screen Gems was The Girl with Something Extra.

Success in Theater

Even with his success in television, Bernard Slade went back to the theater. In 1975, he wrote his play Same Time, Next Year. This play was a huge hit! It ran for 1,453 performances. The main actors were Charles Grodin and Ellen Burstyn. Slade won the Drama Desk Award for this play. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.

In 1978, he wrote another play called Tribute. This story was about a man learning to love his father. His father was a famous actor who spent more time with his theater friends than his son. Jack Lemmon starred in this play. It ran for 212 performances. His play Romantic Comedy (1979) was a bit more successful. It starred Anthony Perkins and Mia Farrow. Bernard Slade wrote the movie scripts for all three of these plays. He was nominated for an Oscar for the movie version of Same Time, Next Year.

Bernard Slade's Autobiography

Bernard Slade wrote a book about his own life. It was called Shared Laughter. Key Porter Books published it.

Bernard Slade's Family Life

Bernard Slade was married to actress Jill Foster. They were married on July 25, 1953. Jill passed away on March 24, 2017. They had two children together: Laurie Newbound and Christopher Newbound. Bernard Slade died on October 30, 2019. He was 89 years old and passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California.

Bernard Slade's Works

Films He Wrote

• Stand Up and Be Counted (1972)
• Same Time, Next Year (1978)
• Tribute (1980)
• Romantic Comedy (1983)

TV Shows He Created or Wrote For

• My Living Doll (1964, wrote additional dialogue for 1 episode)
• Bewitched (1964-1968, writer of 17 episodes)
• Love on a Rooftop (1966-1967, creator and writer of 14 episodes)
• The Flying Nun (1967-1970, creator and writer of 7 episodes)
• The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969-1970, script consultant)
• The Partridge Family (1970-1974, creator and writer of 10 episodes)
• Bridget Loves Bernie (1972-1973, creator and writer of 3 episodes)
• The Girl with Something Extra (1973-1974, creator and writer of 4 episodes)
• Ernie, Madge and Artie (1974 TV-movie, writer)
• Good Heavens (1976, writer of 1 episode)

Plays He Wrote

• Same Time, Next Year (1975)
• Tribute (1978)
• Romantic Comedy (1980)
• Special Occasions (1982)
• Sweet William (1987) later called An Act of the Imagination
• Same Time, Another Year (1996) (This was a sequel to Same Time, Next Year)