
He has the entertainment industry's two highest honors. He was awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He also holds the French Legion of Honor, France's highest civilian honor.
In April 1998, TV Guide chose Mr. Wolper as one of the 45 People Who Made A Difference in Television History, describing him as "...a true original whose vision and innovation shaped the medium," whose "contributions to broadcast history have embedded themselves in the American psyche."
His production of the critically acclaimed OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES for the 1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC GAMES, his work as Chairman and Executive Producer of LIBERTY WEEKEND, the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, along with his production of the award-Winning ROOTS and THE THORN BIRDS miniseries and the JACQUES COUSTEAU and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC documentaries, have made him one of the best-Known producers in the world.
Born in New York City, Mr. Wolper attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Although he did not graduate (he left school in 1949 to go into that new medium called "television"), both universities subsequently awarded him honorary doctorate degrees.
Among his many films, are famous books brought to television and motion pictures. Made into television programs are five Pulitzer Prize winning books: William Shirer's RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH, Theodore H. White's THE MAKING OF THE PRESIDENT 1960, Carl Sandburg's LINCOLN, John F. Kennedy's book A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS, and Alex Haley's ROOTS, one of the most watched television programs of all time. Also produced were Colleen McCullough's THE THORN BIRDS, John Jakes' NORTH AND SOUTH, and Garson Kanin's MOVIOLA.
He has produced television documentaries in association with six of America's great organizations:
* THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION * THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY * AMERICAN HERITAGE MAGAZINE * TIME * READER'S DIGEST * UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION
His theatrical features include:
* THE DEVILS BRIGADE * THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN * IF IT'S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM * THIS IS ELVIS * IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON * SURVIVING PICASSO * WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - the cult children's classic * L.A. CONFIDENTIAL * THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE - His documentary theatrical film, winner of the Cannes Film Festival and winner of an Academy Award "Oscar."
In January of 1975, Wolper was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the Council for the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration to help celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the United States. The organization's 25-member council elected him Chairman.
In 1999, Mr. Wolper produced a 10-hour documentary series; CELEBRATE THE CENTURY, in collaboration with the United States Post Office. It was shown on CNN in 1999, summing up the great events that took place during the 20th Century. He also produced a 10-hour documentary series on the century's great people called LEGENDS, ICONS AND SUPERSTARS OF THE 20th CENTURY, shown on the Discovery Eye On People network in 1999.
David L. Wolper is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles; he is a Trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; a Governor of the Los Angeles Heart Institute; a Trustee of the American Film Institute; a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation; a member of the National Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; a member of the Foundation Board of the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa California; a member of the Board of the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts; and a Board Member of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.
A confirmed family man and devotee of sports (especially golf), art and the entertainment industry, Wolper and his 6-foot artist wife Gloria living in Los Angeles. Wolper has three children: Mark, who is President of The Wolper Organization; Michael, a business executive; and Leslie Ann, also a business executive. He has seven grandchildren.
His autobiography PRODUCER tells his exciting life story.
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