David Susskind facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Susskind
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David Susskind circa 1980
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| Born |
David Howard Susskind
December 19, 1920 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | February 22, 1987 (aged 66) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (B.A.) |
| Known for | Television host, personality, producer |
| Spouse(s) |
Phyllis Briskin
(m. 1939–1966)Joyce Davidson
(m. 1966–1986) |
| Relatives | Dorothy (sister) Murray (brother) Norman Lear (first cousin) |
David Howard Susskind (born December 19, 1920 – died February 22, 1987) was a famous American TV producer. He also produced movies and plays. David was well-known as a TV talk show host. His shows were new and exciting for their time. He talked about important and sometimes tricky topics.
Early Life and Military Service
David Susskind was born in Manhattan, New York. He grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. He finished Brookline High School in 1938.
He went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Later, he studied at Harvard University. He graduated with honors in 1942.
During World War II, David served in the Navy. He was a communications officer. He was on a ship called the USS Mellette. He saw action in important battles like Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
David Susskind's Career
After the war, David Susskind started working. His first job was for Warner Bros.. He helped promote their movies.
Next, he became a talent agent. He worked for Century Artists. Then he joined Music Corporation of America. This company had a new TV department. He helped manage famous people like Dinah Shore and Jerry Lewis.
In New York, Susskind started his own company. It was called Talent Associates. This company helped people who created TV shows and movies. David Susskind became a producer of movies, plays, and TV shows.
His Famous Talk Shows
In 1954, Susskind became a producer for a TV show called Justice. It was a legal drama on NBC. The show was based on real cases from New York.
His own talk show, Open End, started in 1958. It was on WNTA-TV in New York City. The show was called Open End because it had no set time limit. It would continue until David or his guests were too tired to keep going!
In 1961, Open End became a two-hour show. It was shown all over the country. In 1966, the show was renamed The David Susskind Show.
During the 1960s, his show was the first national TV talk show. It allowed people to speak out against the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, it was also the first to feature people supporting gay rights. The show continued until 1986.
David Susskind talked about many important topics. These included race relations and the Vietnam War. In October 1960, he interviewed Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. This happened during the Cold War. The interview got a lot of attention. It is one of the few old talk shows that we can still watch today.
In 1961, Susskind interviewed former President Harry S. Truman. The interviews took place in Truman's hometown.
Joyce Davidson worked with David Susskind. She was a co-producer for his local New York show, Hot Line. This show started in June 1964. Hot Line was the first TV show to use a ten-second broadcast delay. This allowed the control room to remove anything inappropriate. Joyce helped screen phone calls from viewers. She also invited guests, like Malcolm X.
David Susskind also interviewed famous boxer Muhammad Ali. This happened in 1968.
David Susskind as a Producer
Susskind was also a very important producer. He produced many movies, plays, and TV programs. He was known for making smart and interesting shows. This was at a time when TV was becoming more focused on popular shows.
Here are some of the projects he produced:
- TV adaptations: Beyond This Place (1957), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1958), The Moon and Sixpence (1960), Ages of Man (1966), Death of a Salesman (1966), Look Homeward, Angel (1972), The Glass Menagerie (1973), and Caesar and Cleopatra (1976).
- TV films: Truman at Potsdam (1976), Eleanor and Franklin (1976), and Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977).
- Feature films: A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Loving Couples (1980).
He also produced the CBS drama Mr. Broadway in 1964. His company, Talent Associates, also produced the popular show Get Smart.
Personal Life
David Susskind was married two times. Both marriages ended.
In 1939, he married Phyllis Briskin. They had three children: Diana, Pamela, and Andrew Susskind. They divorced in 1966.
In the same year, he married Joyce Davidson. She had two daughters from a previous marriage. David and Joyce had one daughter, Samantha. They divorced in 1986.
David Susskind was a first cousin to Norman Lear. Norman Lear was also a famous TV writer and producer. David is survived by his sister, Dorothy, and his brother, Murray.
Death and Legacy
In 1987, David Susskind passed away at age 66. He had a heart attack in New York City. He was buried in Westchester Hills Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.
In 1988, David Susskind was honored. He was added to the Television Hall of Fame.
