Antony Ellis

Antony "Tony" Ellis (March 1, 1920 – September 26, 1967), born Antony Ellis Jacobs, was a writer, director, and producer of radio and television shows.

Biography Ellis was born in England on March 1, 1920.

Radio career He began his entertainment career as an actor, but transitioned to writing. He was known for his radio scripts for the shows Escape, Suspense, Gunsmoke, Pursuit, and Romance, On Stage, Crime Classics, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and CBS Radio Workshop. He wrote, directed, and produced the well-regarded series Frontier Gentleman.

Variety wrote of the 1950 episode "A Sleeping Draft" for Suspense: "Scripter Ellis sustained chills via his suspenseful script".

When he took over running Suspense from Elliott Lewis, Ellis focused on science fiction rather than noir. He adapted Ray Bradbury stories for radio. He took over producing Escape for William Froug in 1956.

Television and film career He produced and wrote for Zane Grey Theatre and Black Saddle. He was a producer of Michael Shayne. He wroteThe Monroes, A Man Called Shenandoah, and Arrest and Trial.

His sole feature film screenplay was The Ride Back (1957).

Ellis was involved with the Writers Guild of America West. He was elected vice-president of the radio writers branch in 1954 and secretary-treasurer in 1958.

Personal life and death Ellis was married to Georgia Ellis; they met while appearing at the Pasadena Playhouse. She played Miss Kitty in the Gunsmoke radio series. They had a son, Jonathan.

Ellis died of cancer on September 26, 1967, in Big Bear, California.