Sherwood Schwartz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sherwood Schwartz
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Schwartz receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2008)
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| Born |
Sherwood Charles Schwartz
November 14, 1916 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Died | July 12, 2011 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1938–2011 |
| Spouse(s) |
Mildred Seidman
(m. 1941) |
| Children | 4, including Lloyd |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Sherwood Charles Schwartz (November 14, 1916 – July 12, 2011) was a famous American TV writer and producer. He worked on radio shows in the 1940s. But he is most famous for creating two very popular TV shows. These were Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch.
In 2008, Sherwood Schwartz received a special honor. He got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a famous sidewalk in Hollywood, California. That same year, he was also added to the Television Hall of Fame. This means he was recognized for his great work in television.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Sherwood Schwartz was born in Passaic, New Jersey. He came from a Jewish family. His parents were Herman and Rose Schwartz. He had two brothers who also became writers. His younger brother, Elroy Schwartz, was a main writer for Gilligan's Island. Sherwood Schwartz also had a nephew, Douglas Schwartz. Douglas created the popular TV show Baywatch.
Sherwood Schwartz's Career
Sherwood Schwartz first wanted to be a doctor. However, he faced challenges getting into medical school at that time. So, he decided to become a writer instead.
He started by writing for radio shows. One of his first jobs was for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. While in the Army, he wrote for the Armed Forces Radio Network.
After the war, he moved into television. From 1956 to 1962, he was the head writer for The Red Skelton Show. He even won an Emmy Award for his writing on this show in 1961.
Later, he created and produced his most famous shows. These were Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch. He also helped write the catchy theme songs for three of his shows. These included Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch.
His two big TV shows became very popular. They are still well-known today. Because of this, Sherwood Schwartz became a TV icon himself.
TV Appearances
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Sherwood Schwartz appeared on many TV shows. He talked about his famous series. He was on shows like CBS Evening News and 20/20. He also appeared on TV Land's Top Ten and A&E's Biography.
In 1988, he was part of a Gilligan's Island reunion on The Late Show with Ross Shafer. All seven actors from the show were there. This was the last time they were all together on TV. He also appeared as himself in an episode of Roseanne in 1995.
Personal Life and Family
Sherwood Schwartz married Mildred Seidman on December 21, 1941. They had four children together. His son, Lloyd J. Schwartz, followed in his father's footsteps. Lloyd became a writer and producer in show business. Sherwood's granddaughter, Ilsey Juber, is a singer-songwriter.
Death
Sherwood Schwartz passed away on July 12, 2011. He died peacefully in his sleep from natural causes.
Portrayals in TV Shows
Sherwood Schwartz was played by actors in TV movies. Aaron Lustig played him in Surviving Gilligan's Island. Michael Tucker played him in Growing Up Brady.
Sherwood Schwartz's Work on TV and Radio
Sherwood Schwartz produced and wrote for many shows during his career.
| Series | Years | Job |
|---|---|---|
| The Bob Hope Show | 1938–1942 | Writer for radio version |
| The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | 1940s | Writer for radio version |
| The Alan Young Show | 1940s | Writer for radio version |
| I Married Joan | 1952–1955 | Writer |
| The Red Skelton Show | 1956–1962 | Writer |
| My Favorite Martian | 1963 | Script supervisor |
| Gilligan's Island | 1964–1967 | Writer, creator, producer |
| It's About Time | 1966–1967 | Writer, creator, producer |
| The Brady Bunch | 1969–1974 | Writer, creator, producer |
| Dusty's Trail | 1973–1974 | Writer, creator, producer |
| Big John, Little John | 1976 | Producer |
| Harper Valley PTA | 1981–1982 | Writer, producer |
| Together We Stand | 1986–1987 | Writer, producer |
Stage Productions
In 1990, Sherwood Schwartz wrote Gilligan's Island: The Musical. This musical was still being performed in 2011. His son Lloyd, daughter Hope, and son-in-law Laurence Juber also worked on the play.
His play Rockers opened in 2006. It was performed at Theatre West in California. The play was about three women living in a retirement home.
Unsold TV Pilots
Sherwood Schwartz also wrote and produced two TV shows that were never picked up by networks. These are called "unsold pilots."
- Scamps (1982) – This show starred Bob Denver and Joey Lawrence.
- The Invisible Woman (1983) – This show starred Alexa Hamilton and Bob Denver.
Awards and Honors
Sherwood Schwartz received several important awards for his work.
- He won an Emmy Award in 1961 for his writing on The Red Skelton Show.
- He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2004. This was for his special called Still Brady After All These Years.
- On March 7, 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Actresses Dawn Wells (from Gilligan's Island) and Florence Henderson (from The Brady Bunch) were there with him.
- He was also added to the Television Hall of Fame in 2008.
