Louis M. "Deke" Heyward[1] (born Louis Mortimere Horowitz, June 24, 1920 – March 26, 2002) was an American producer and film and television screenwriter.
Life and career
Born in New York City to Henry Horowitz and Rose Klein, Jewish immigrants from Hungary, Heyward intended to become a lawyer but started writing radio scripts part-time. He attended New York University and Brooklyn Law School. He then served in the United States Army Air Forces for six years. In 1942, he was a lieutenant stationed at Midland Army Flying School in Midland, Texas and was a bombardier instructor.[2] In May 1943, he transferred to the bombardier school at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas.[3]
After serving in the Army Air Forces, he resumed writing for radio while working at Associated Press. He changed his last name to Heyward in 1946.
In 1947 he was appointed head of television and radio at Mogul.[4]
Writer
After he changed his name, he became a full-time comedy writer, providing scripts for eight seasons (1950–1958) of The Garry Moore Show. He also wrote material for The Ernie Kovacs Show, eventually becoming head writer for that series and winning a Sylvania Award for comedy writing. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1957.[5]
Heyward wrote scripts for Winky Dink and You, a children's show hosted by Jack Barry that ran on CBS from 1953 – 1957, that was created by Harry Prichett and Edwin Brit Wyckoff. The show is considered one of the first interactive TV shows.[6]
Heyward's first credit for American International Pictures was Pajama Party (1964), one of many Beach Party films made by the company.[8] Heyward would subsequently write several more similar teen-themed AIP comedies, as well as horror films and science fiction thrillers. His best known work includes Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine. Heyward also began to be involved on the production side of things for AIP.[9][10]
Head of American International Pictures London
In 1966, Heyward was made AIP's Director of Overseas Productions, and set up a London-based office of operations in 1967. He produced several European and British films from 1967 to 1972, all co-financed by AIP with Heyward maintaining a degree of control over the various productions in order to ensure the movies were suitable for release in both the U.S. and European markets. In this capacity, he assisted in the production of some of AIP's most critically acclaimed and profitable films of that period, including Michael Reeves's Witchfinder General (1968), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), all starring Vincent Price. He left AIP in 1972.[11]
After his AIP days, Heyward served as Vice President of Development for Four Star International while it was led by David Charnay.[12] While Heyward was with Charnay, he gained the vital leadership experience and contacts to then become a Senior Vice President for Hanna-Barbera,[13] where he was in charge of live programming and movies of the week.[14][15]
After his time with Hanna-Barbera, Heyward became Vice President in Charge of Development for Barry & Enright Productions, a game show and TV-movie production company run by Jack Barry and Dan Enright. He served as Executive Producer of the company's popular Tic Tac Dough.
Personal life
Heyward died of pneumonia on March 26, 2002, in Los Angeles.[16]
He was survived by a wife, Sandra, children Patti and Andy, and three grandchildren, Robert, Michael, and Bianca.[17][18]Andy was known as the chairman and chief executive officer of animation studio, DiC Entertainment, until its June 20, 2008, acquisition by[19] and subsequent folding into[20]Cookie Jar Group.[21]
^"Transfers Made At Midland Air Field", San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas, sixteenth year, number 111, 21 May 1943, page 11. (subscription required)
^Advertising News and Notes: Joins Lennen & Mitchell As Plans Board Member, The New York Times, 10 November 1947: page 36.
^Television Picks Award Nominees: Colorcast Gives Public Industry Choices for Programs and Players
Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times, 17 February 1957: page 1A.
