Loading AI tools
American film producer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matthew Rapf (October 22, 1920 – December 11, 1991) was an American film and television producer and screenwriter. He was best known for producing The Loretta Young Show, Ben Casey, and Kojak.
Matthew Rapf | |
---|---|
Born | New York, New York | October 22, 1920
Died | December 11, 1991 71) Malibu, California | (aged
Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park |
Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
Occupation(s) | Film and television producer, screenwriter |
Spouse | Carol Rapf |
Father | Harry Rapf |
Relatives | Maurice Rapf (brother) |
Matthew Rapf was born in New York City on October 22, 1920,[1][2] the son of MGM film producer Harry Rapf. His brother Maurice was a screenwriter (blacklisted in the 1940s) and film professor.[3]
After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1942, he served as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[2][4] Returning to civilian life, he followed in his father's and brother's footsteps into filmmaking and was hired by MGM to be part of a production group headed by Charles Schnee.[5] His first credit was for writing and producing the 1948 Western Adventures of Gallant Bess.[6] In 1952 he wrote and produced the noir film The Sellout.[7] After this he worked primarily as a producer, on films such as Big Leaguer[8] and Half a Hero.
Rapf next moved into television, signing a long-term contract with NBC in 1955,[9] and producing series for them such as The Great Gildersleeve, Frontier, Jefferson Drum, and Ben Casey.[4]
In 1973 he produced the TV film The Marcus-Nelson Murders, starring Telly Savalas as police lieutenant Theo Kojak. Though not originally intended as a pilot, it became the basis of one of Rapf's most successful series, Kojak.[10] He would be nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work on the film and show.[11]
He was married to prominent real estate agent Carol Rapf.[12]
Matthew Rapf died in Malibu on December 11, 1991, after a bout of influenza.[2][4]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.