Ted Post facts for kids

Theodore I. Post (born March 31, 1918 – died August 20, 2013) was an American director. He directed many movies and TV shows. Ted Post was known for his work on popular TV series like Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and The Twilight Zone. He also directed big movies such as Hang 'Em High, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and Magnum Force.

Ted Post's Life and Career

Early Years and First Jobs

Ted Post was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started working in 1938 as an usher at a movie theater. An usher helps people find their seats. He first wanted to be an actor. However, he soon decided to become a director instead.

He began directing plays for summer theater groups. This was the start of his long career as a director. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he returned to theater. When television became popular, his career really took off.

In 1950, Post taught acting and drama. He worked at New York's High School of Performing Arts. He even convinced his friend, Sidney Lumet, to teach there too.

Directing Television Shows

Ted Post's success in theater led him to direct for television. He started in the early 1950s with The Ford Television Theatre. He directed episodes for many famous TV shows. These included Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and Wagon Train.

He also directed episodes of Rawhide and The Twilight Zone. Other shows he directed were Combat! and Columbo. He directed a huge number of episodes, 178, for the show Peyton Place. He also directed TV movies, including the first Cagney & Lacey film.

Directing Feature Films

Ted Post also directed movies for the big screen. He directed Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). This was the second movie in the Planet of the Apes series. He also directed Go Tell the Spartans (1978) and Good Guys Wear Black (1978). The latter starred Chuck Norris.

He directed two films with actor Clint Eastwood. These were Hang 'Em High and Magnum Force. Hang 'Em High helped make Clint Eastwood a major movie star.

Family Life

Ted Post married Thelma Fiefel in 1940. They stayed married until his death in 2013. They had two children together. One of their children is Robert Post, who became a law professor.

His Passing

Ted Post passed away on August 20, 2013. He died in Santa Monica, California.

Selected Works

Movies Ted Post Directed

TV Movies Ted Post Directed

TV Shows Ted Post Directed

See also

In Spanish: Ted Post para niños