Edward S. Feldman

Edward S. Feldman (September 5, 1929 – October 2, 2020) was an American film and television producer.

Biography

Born and raised in The Bronx, where he attended DeWitt Clinton High School, Feldman graduated from Michigan State University, after which he was hired by 20th Century Fox to work as a writer in the studio's press book department in its Manhattan headquarters. He quickly rose within the ranks, becoming the contact for fan magazines, then trade papers, and finally the New York City press.[1] His employment at Fox was interrupted by a two-year stint with the United States Air Force, during which he was stationed at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His commanding officer expected him to use his skills as a publicist to get him promoted from colonel to general, a task Feldman completed successfully before he returned to civilian life.[2]

In 1959, Feldman left Fox to promote The World of Suzie Wong and its producer, Ray Stark, for Paramount Pictures. His assignment began with location shooting in Hong Kong and ended with the release of the film. He clashed with Stark throughout the production, which prompted him to resign from Paramount and join Embassy Pictures as the head of advertising and publicity.[3] Two years later, Stark invited him to join him at Seven Arts Productions, where his first project was the controversial screen adaptation of Lolita. Due to Feldman's intervention, the Catholic Legion of Decency agreed not to rate the film "condemned" if the studio would enforce a rule banning anyone under the age of eighteen from theaters showing it.[4] Once Seven Arts acquired Warner Bros., Feldman relocated to Hollywood, where he remained with Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for two years, during which time he became active in film production.[5]

Because of his association with Stark, son-in-law of comedian Fanny Brice, Feldman handled advertising and publicity for the Broadway production of Funny Girl throughout its run.[6]

Feldman's first credit as a film producer was the 1971 melodrama What's the Matter with Helen? starring Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters. Additional credits include Save the Tiger, The Other Side of the Mountain, Two-Minute Warning, The Last Married Couple in America, Hot Dog...The Movie, Witness, The Golden Child, Wired, Green Card, The Doctor, Forever Young, the live-action The Jungle Book, the live-action 101 Dalmatians and its sequel, 102 Dalmatians, The Truman Show, and K-19: The Widowmaker.

For television, Feldman produced several films and miniseries, including Moon of the Wolf, Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story, and 21 Hours at Munich and King, both of which earned him Emmy Award nominations. He also was one of the producers of the short-lived series Flamingo Road.

Feldman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture for Witness and the BAFTA Award for Best Film for Witness and The Truman Show. In 2001, the Hollywood Film Festival honored him for Outstanding Achievement in Producing.

Feldman died on October 2, 2020 in Los Angeles.[7]

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Credit Notes
1971What's the Matter with Helen?Executive producer
1972FuzzExecutive producer
1973Save the TigerExecutive producer
1975The Other Side of the Mountain
1976Two-Minute Warning
1978The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2
1980The Last Married Couple in America
1982Six PackExecutive producer
The Sender
1984Hot Dog…The Movie
1985Witness
Explorers
1986The HitcherExecutive producer
Hamburger: The Motion PictureExecutive producer
The Golden Child
1987Near DarkExecutive producer
1989Wired
1990Green CardExecutive producer
1991The DoctorExecutive producer
1992Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Forever YoungExecutive producer
1994My Father the HeroExecutive producer
The Jungle Book
1996101 DalmatiansExecutive producer
1998The Truman Show
2000102 Dalmatians
2002K-19: The WidowmakerFinal film as a producer
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1984Hot Dog…The MovieMan in Bar Watching Wet T-shirt Contest
Uncredited
1990Green CardTaxi Driver
1992Honey, I Blew Up the KidLas Vegas Couple
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role
1981One from the HeartProduction representative

Television

Year Title Credit Notes
1972Moon of the WolfExecutive producerTelevision film
1973Pioneer WomanExecutive producerTelevision film
1974The Stranger Who Looks Like MeExecutive producerTelevision film
1975My Father's HouseExecutive producerTelevision film
197621 Hours at MunichExecutive producerTelevision film
Smash-Up on Interstate 5Executive producerTelevision film
1978KingExecutive producer
1979ValentineExecutive producerTelevision film
1981300 Miles for StephanieExecutive producerTelevision film
1982Charles & Diana: A Royal Love StoryExecutive producerTelevision film
Not in Front of the ChildrenExecutive producerTelevision film
1985Obsessed with a Married WomanExecutive producerTelevision film
Midas ValleyExecutive producerTelevision film

References

  1. Feldman, Edward S., Tell Me How You Love the Picture. New York: St. Martin's Press 2005. ISBN 0-312-34801-0, pp. 22-23
  2. Feldman, pp. 39-42
  3. Feldman pp. 43-50
  4. Feldman, pp. 52-53
  5. Feldman, p. 87
  6. Feldman, pp. 58-65
  7. Edward S. Feldman Dies: Oscar-Nominated ‘Witness’ Producer Was 91
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