Louis M. Heyward
| Louis M. Heyward | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1920 New York City |
| Died | March 26, 2002 (aged 81) Los Angeles |
Louis Mortimere Heyward (June 24, 1920 – March 26, 2002) was an American producer and film and television screenwriter. He was also known as "Deke" Heyward.
Born in New York City to Henry Horowitz and Rose Klein, immigrants from Hungary, he intended to become a lawyer but started writing radio scripts part-time. He served in the United States Air Force for six years, then resumed writing for radio while working at Associated Press. He changed his last name to Heyward in 1946.
After he changed his name, he became a full-time comedy writer, providing scripts for eight seasons (1950–1958) of The Garry Moore Show. He also wrote material for The Ernie Kovacs Show, eventually becoming head writer for that series and winning a Sylvania Award for comedy writing. He developed The Dick Clark Show.
Heyward wrote scripts for Winky Dink and You, a children's show hosted by Jack Barry that ran on CBS from 1953 – 1957, that was created by Harry Prichett and Edwin Brit Wyckoff. The show is considered one of the first interactive TV shows.
In the early 1960s, Heyward relocated to Los Angeles and worked various executive positions at 20th Century Fox, MCA, and Four Star. His production experience at Fox and MCA and his proven penchant for comedy was noticed by James H. Nicholson of American International Pictures who asked Heyward if he was interested in writing a comedy for the studio.
Heyward's first credit for AIP was Pajama Party (1964), one of many Beach Party films made by the company. Heyward would subsequently write several more similar teen-themed AIP comedies, as well as horror films and science fiction thrillers. His best known work includes Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine. Heyward also began to be involved on the production side of things for AIP.
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