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Merv Adelson

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Merv Adelson
Adelson in 1985
Born
Mervyn Lee Adelson

(1929-10-23)October 23, 1929
DiedSeptember 8, 2015(2015-09-08) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • real estate developer
  • television producer
Years active1950–2015
Known forCo-founder of Lorimar Television
Spouses
Lori Kaufman
(divorced)
Gail Kenaston
(divorced)
(m. 1981; div. 1984)
(m. 1986; div. 1992)
Thea Nesis
(divorced)
Children5, including Andrew and Gary

Mervyn Lee Adelson (October 23, 1929 – September 8, 2015) was an American real estate developer and television producer who co-founded Lorimar Television.

Early life

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Adelson was born to a Jewish family[1] in Los Angeles on October 23, 1929 to Nathan and Pearl Adelson (née Swartz). His parents were the children of immigrants from Russia who had settled in Nebraska. When he was a child, he worked in a grocery store run by his family.[2]

Career

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In the 1950s Adelson established himself in Las Vegas where he first met Irwin Molasky and Moe Dalitz.[3] The trio were responsible for building the Las Vegas Country Club as well as what became Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.[3] Molasky and Adelson later opened Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in 1965. Adelson soon left the real estate industry and co-founded Lorimar Television with Molasky and Lee Rich in 1969.[4][5]

Personal life and death

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Adelson was married and subsequently divorced four times. His first wife was Lori Kaufman with whom he had a daughter and two sons:[6] Ellen Adelson Ross, Andrew Adelson, and Gary Adelson.[7] His second wife was Gail Kenaston,[6] adopted daughter of silent film star Billie Dove.[8] His third wife was the television journalist Barbara Walters to whom he was married from 1986 to 1992. They met on a blind date in 1984[9].[2][10] His fourth wife was Thea Nesis[6] with whom he had adopted two daughters, Lexi and Ava Nesis.[7] All his marriages ended in divorce.[6]

Adelson died in Los Angeles, on September 8, 2015, from cancer. He was 85.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Marschall, John P. (February 1, 2008). Jews in Nevada: A History. University of Nevada Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780874177374.
  2. ^ a b Weber, Bruce (September 11, 2015). "Merv Adelson, Daring TV Producer, Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Ed Koch, Desert Inn, Stardust chief helped integrate Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Sun, September 1, 2008
  4. ^ a b "Lorimar Co-Founder and TV Mogul Merv Adelson Dies at 85". Variety. September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "How Lorimar, the Company Behind 'Dallas' and 'Falcon Crest,' Bred Hollywood's Ruling Executive Class". hollywoodreporter.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d "Merv Adelson, television producer - obituary". Daily Telegraph. September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Koch, Ed (September 11, 2015). "Las Vegas developer turned Hollywood mogul had his share of highs, lows". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  8. ^ Los Angeles Times: "Gail Adelson; Hostess, Home Designer to the Stars" by Myrna Oliver February 22, 1999
  9. ^ Gostin, Nicki (2024-04-15). "Barbara Walters's career ambitions kept her from true love". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  10. ^ Woo, Elaine (September 10, 2015). "Merv Adelson dies at 85; TV mogul and philanthropist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
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