Burt Prelutsky
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Burt Prelutsky | |
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 Prelutsky c. 2007 | |
| Born | Burton Prelutsky January 5, 1940 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 2021 (aged 81) North Hills, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1963–2018 |
Burton Prelutsky (January 5, 1940 – December 17, 2021) was an American screenwriter, newspaper columnist, and author.
Early life and career
[edit]A graduate of Los Angeles Fairfax High School,[1] Prelutsky was the film critic for the UCLA Daily Bruin and then a film critic for Los Angeles Magazine from 1961 to 1971, writing acerbic reviews that gained him a reputation as "the fastest barb in the west." He also wrote a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times' magazine, West.[2]
In the late 1960s he wrote several episodes of the Dragnet TV series.[3]
He wrote eight episodes of the M*A*S*H TV series during seasons four, five, and six, including The Novocaine Mutiny,[4]: p.190 The General's Practitioner,[4]: p.198 The Grim Reaper[4]: p.203 and Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler?[4]: p.186
In 2000 Prelutsky was one of the earliest plaintiffs to sign on to a class action lawsuit brought against television talent agencies, networks and production studios accused of discrimination against older writers. The suit was settled in 2010 for $70 million.[5]
Awards and recognition
[edit]In 1985 Prelutsky won a Writers Guild of America Award in the original comedy anthology category for the 1983 TV movie Hobson's Choice.[6] He was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1982 under the category "Best Television Feature or Miniseries" for his work on the 1981 television movie A Small Killing, and in 1976 was nominated for a Humanitas Prize in the category "30 Minute Network or Syndicated Television" for his work on the Quo Vadis 1975 episode of the television program M*A*S*H.[7]
He received a Christopher Award in 1987 for A Winner Never Quits, a TV movie that was broadcast on CBS in 1986.[8]
Personal life and death
[edit]Prelutsky died on December 17, 2021, at the age of 81.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Prelutsky, Burt (October 6, 1974). "How to Stay Popular Even Though Well-Liked". The Los Angeles Times Calendar. p. 25. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Hollywood Rejoices, As Prelutsky Retires". Playground Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Fl. Associated Press. 22 January 1971. p. 11. Retrieved 10 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Burt Prelutsky (14 September 2008). "Just The Facts, Ma'am (classic)". Burt Prelutsky.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. (archived)
- ^ a b c d James H. Wittebols (1 January 2003). Watching M*A*S*H, Watching America: A Social History of the 1972-1983 Television Series. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1701-8.
- ^ Paul Bond (22 January 2010). "Settlement reached in TV discrimination cases". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ London, Michael (22 March 1985). "Robinson, Allen Share Writers Guild Award". Los Angeles Times. pp. H14.
- ^ "Burt Prelutsky". IMDb.
- ^ "Programing: Christopher winners named". Broadcasting. 112 (11): 67. 16 March 1987.
- ^ "Burton Prelutsky". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
External links
[edit]- Burt Prelutsky at The Patriot Post
- BurtPrelutsky.com (archived)
- Burt Prelutsky at Townhall.com
- Burt Prelutsky at IMDb
- Burt Prelutsky discography at Discogs
- Burt Prelutsky's channel on YouTube
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