George Schlatter

George Schlatter (born December 31, 1929) is an American television producer and director, best known for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, founder of the American Comedy Awards, and author of Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy (Unnamed Press 2023).

For his work on television, Schlatter has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7030 Hollywood Blvd.

Life and career Schlatter was born on December 31, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, a St. Louis inner-ring suburb. His father, George Schlatter, was a salesman, and his mother, Miriam Hoover, was a violinist. Schlatter is a Christian, although he is often described as Jewish. His father was a Presbyterian of German descent, and his mother was a Christian Scientist. As a teenager, Schlatter sang for two seasons with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, where his mother also performed. He attended Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California. In the early 1960s, following a short stint in Las Vegas, he started producing variety series and specials for television. Between 1964 and 1970, he oversaw the annual telecast of the Grammy Awards. In 1967, he first formed Schlatter-Friendly Productions with Ed Friendly, and then when the partnership broke in 1972, they formed George Schlatter Productions, noted for Rowan and Martin's Laugh In on NBC.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Schlatter produced and directed several television series, while continuing to produce variety specials. In 1987, he started "The American Comedy Awards", which was an annual event through 2001. Schlatter also produced a few feature films, and owns The Editing Company, which for many years was one of Hollywood's busiest state-of-the-art post production facilities.

Television work A partial listing of his television achievements follows.

Executive producer

Muhammad Ali's All-Star 60th Birthday Celebration! (2002) Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968–1972) Turn-On (1969; unsuccessful) Arnold's Closet Revue (1971) Real People (1979) Goldie and Liza Together (1980) Annual American Comedy Awards (1987–2001) G.I.T. on Broadway - Diana Ross and The Supremes / The Temptations (1969) The New Bill Cosby Show (1972) Cher (1975) John Denver and Friend (1976) The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here? (1977) The Goldie Hawn Special (1978) Salute to Lady Liberty (1984) Las Vegas: An All-Star 75th Anniversary (1987) Frank, Liza, and Sammy: The Ultimate Event (1989) For his work on television, Schlatter has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7030 Hollywood Blvd.