David Piel

David Joseph Piel ( – May 6, 2004) was an American television director, producer and actor, best known for his contributions to children's television programming, in particular, the nearly 50 limited animation "Story Films" he produced and directed for Captain Kangaroo. He also directed the first screen adaptation of Crockett Johnson's hugely successful picture book, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and created the initially successful but short-lived, semi-animated TV series, Big Mac and His Magic Train.

Piel was a grandson of Piels Beer founder Michael Piel, and the younger brother of science writer and publisher Gerard Piel. born in 1923, One of his series of sketches—tracing a wounded compatriot's journey, from battlefield trauma to hospital bed—was later used to elicit blood donations from those on the home front.

News of this particular Piel heir next emerged on Christmas Day, 1955, courtesy of Bridgeport Post reporter Betty Tayler. "Harold has been so well received that Johnson already is working on a sequel, and on an animated cartoon, to be produced by David Piel and released by Movie House." By April of the following year, the New York Herald Tribune had noted both the formation of David Piel Inc. and the fact that its founder was the "creator, producer, and director" of the "charming new 'Story Films' seen on CBS-TV's children's shows [and currently] enjoying second and third runs on the network's 'Captain Kangaroo' show".

Piel's notable acting credits include the Broadway production of Joseph Heller's We Bombed in New Haven, and as the briefly seen, quickly befuddled, and promptly pied-to-death security guard—in 1988's Killer Klowns From Outer Space.

Personal life and death Piel's 1946 marriage to Leslie Semple Fellner—arranged, as had been the initial marriage of each of his older siblings, by their mother—ended in divorce three years later. Within days, he was married to German-born writer, Hedwig "Hedi" Seligsohn, who would later become Vice President of David Piel, Inc., and also co-writer—along with Chet Gierlach and Leonard Whitcup—of the titular theme song of Big Mac and His Magic Train. The marriage produced two children, a daughter, Candida, and a son, Geoffrey. They later moved to San Francisco's Marina District, and, in 1991, to Carson City, Nevada, where, in 1993, his Pogonip & Mule Ears : A Souvenir Book, was published.

On May 6, 2004, Piel died following a brief illness at his home in Carson City, at age 80. He was survived by his wife, Dee, children Candida and Geoffrey, stepchildren John and Paula Randolph, and two grandchildren.