Stanley Zabka

Stanley William Zabka (November 6, 1924 – October 7, 2023) was an American songwriter, filmmaker, and television director, most notably working on NBC's The Tonight Show and The Doctors.

Early life Born in Des Moines, Iowa, as the sixth of eleven children, Zabka's parents had owned and operated an opera house in Omaha when first married, directing and starring in productions.

Zabka returned to military service in Europe during the Korean War. During this time, Zabka's song, "Christmas Eve in My Home Town", was recorded by Eddie Fisher in 1954 in a version made exclusively for military personnel, rather than commercial distribution.

After the Korean War, Zabka toured with a travelling orchestra for three months before returning to NBC in an associate director position. In 1966, a version of "Christmas Eve in My Home Town" recorded by Kate Smith and published by Zabka through his Big Island Music label was sent by Zabka to 800 Armed Forces Network stations.

On television, Zabka worked on the daytime series The Doctors, which received an Emmy Award during his tenure there.

Personal life Zabka and his wife, Nancy, married on August 2, 1964, and had a daughter and two sons, including actor William Zabka. Zabka moved to Alta Sierra, California in 1995, where he lived until his death at age 98.