Merrill Heatter | |
---|---|
Born |
Merrill M. Heatter December 16, 1926 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Occupation | Producer, screenwriter |
Years active | 1947–2011 |
Known for |
Hollywood Squares Wacky Races Gambit Catch 21 |
Spouse(s) | Elaine Stewart (m. 1964–2011; her death; 2 children) |
Parent(s) | Edward Heatter Frances Heatter |
Relatives |
Gabriel Heatter (uncle) Maida Heatter (cousin) |
Merrill M. Heatter (born December 16, 1926) is a retired American screenwriter and producer. He was best known for his collaboration with writer Bob Quigley for over 20 years and the formation of their production company Heatter-Quigley Productions in 1960. The company was responsible for the game shows Hollywood Squares and Gambit and the animated television series Wacky Races.
He also formed Merrill Heatter Productions in 1980 which is responsible for the Gambit-based show Catch 21.
Merrill M. Heatter was born on December 16, 1926, in New York City, New York to parents Edward, (1898–1991) and Frances Heatter. His paternal grandparents were immigrants from Austria.
Heatter's career began in the late 1940s when, on July 7, 1947, CBS Radio and writer Goodman Ace launched the historical educational program You Are There. The format of the series was to present important events from history to the viewer as if the viewer were listening to an actual news broadcast. The series aired its last radio broadcast on March 19, 1950.
On February 1, 1953, the series made a transition to CBS television. The series starred Walter Cronkite of CBS News with several field reporters including radio announcing veterans Dick Joy and Harlow Wilcox. Heatter was one of the head writers of the series. The series' last telecast was on October 13, 1957.